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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's finest performance this year.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging run with injuries really," Hansen commented.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much talk about me not necessarily 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 represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not get that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Good players don't need excuses'

After 28 appearances on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury disrupted his aspiration of joining the international squad.

After returned last month, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for future games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's choice to wear different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with two strong spells.

The player's initial couple of scores occurred in the first 11 minutes while other teammates registered in the final stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed various elements throughout the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

The coach's team will require to attain another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.