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Following last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to step up their game.

The team listened right away.

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

However, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked Ireland's finest display this year.

In his debut international start at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

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

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

After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with several teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the Test squad.

After come back last month, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I thought that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," said the former national manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

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

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different player did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for Farrell was the team framing the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while additional teammates registered in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home team finished on a high.

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

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test series on rival soil.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.