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After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's best display this year.

Making his first international start at full-back, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

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

"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent players don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international team.

After come back last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not empty words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection headache for future games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's choice to sport different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his experience showed to the fore," said the former national manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the best opposition player on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle 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.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the match with two impressive spells.

The player's initial two scores came in the first 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on rival soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.