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After their previous disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's finest performance of the season.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete stated.

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

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

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

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

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a matter 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 Test team.

After come back last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these proved not empty statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those different colored shoes!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

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

"I thought he was super, his experience was evident to the front," said the former national coach.

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

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different teammate did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with two strong periods.

The player's first two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while other teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the match straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on rival soil.

The coach's team will require to attain a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.