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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's finest performance of the season.

In his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

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

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, 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 can do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test team.

After returned recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to sport different footwear.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes the player a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and another player did not look out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple impressive spells.

The player's first two scores occurred in the first eleven moments while other players registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the match, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that later period was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test contest on rival soil.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.