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Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland squad to improve their game.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's best display of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

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

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

"My whole approach this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Coach declared: 'Good players require no excuses'

After 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the initial time with several players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a matter of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury ended his dream of joining the Test squad.

After returned last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow words as the former club player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You better perform well in those two colored shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to sport different footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the front," said the former national coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout opposition player on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a good 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 field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, 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 believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was putting the ball again on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's first couple of tries occurred in the first 11 moments while other teammates scored in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a high.

"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on rival territory.

Farrell's team will need to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.