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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team'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 aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging run with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

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

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

Manager declared: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

Following 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

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

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

Having come back last month, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for future games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's choice to wear different boots.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's got a great approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

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

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes the player a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the right approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two impressive periods.

The player's first two scores occurred in the opening 11 moments while other players scored in the final stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we handled various elements during the game, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering 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 really pleasing."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied multiple match series on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will require to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.