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Following their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to step up their game.

Ireland listened immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest performance of the season.

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete 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 love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a good showing you may not get that opportunity again.

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

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the initial time with several teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his dream of joining the international team.

Having returned recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- club player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better play well in those different coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong option at full-back, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was putting the ball again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the match with multiple impressive periods.

The player's initial two tries came in the first 11 minutes while other players registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving 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 later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match contest on rival territory.

The coach's side will require to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.