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Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to step up their game.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest display this year.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Whenever I get 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 focus this period was to go out and perform what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was given the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the summer.

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

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

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive team headache for future games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that himself regardless. 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 get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's has a great approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to be himself due to that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong option at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

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

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the match with two strong spells.

The player's initial couple of tries came in the first 11 moments while other teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home side finished on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the game right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we managed various elements during the game, especially them responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.