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After their previous disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.

Making his first test match start at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

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

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

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

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international team.

Having come back last month, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for future matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's got a great attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the front," commented the ex- international coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best Australian player on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the possession back 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 returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive spells.

The player's first two scores came in the first 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"How we handled numerous elements during the match, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match series on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to reach another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.