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After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest display of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.

"My entire approach this period was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a matter of continuing where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the Test team.

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You need to play well in those different colored boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former national coach.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best Australian performer on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"His high ball work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the game with two strong spells.

The player's first two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the match right from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test series on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will need to reach another level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.