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After last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to step up their game.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest display this year.

Making his first international start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult run with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like home.

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

"My entire focus this week was to take the field and perform what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good players don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the international team.

Having come back last month, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those two colored shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

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

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what enables the player a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

The player's first two scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates scored in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the match straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we managed numerous elements during the game, especially them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

The coach's team will require to attain another standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.