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Following last week's disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to step up their performance.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's best performance of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, the player registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.

"My entire focus this period was to go out and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

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

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the Test squad.

Having returned recently, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

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

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those two colored boots!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

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

"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout Australian player on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was putting the ball again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and different teammate did not look out of place in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with two impressive spells.

Hansen's first two tries came in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates registered in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the match right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed various elements during the match, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test series on opposition soil.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.