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Following last week's disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

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

However, against Australia, they began powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's best performance this year.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

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

"Any time I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

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

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

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test team.

Having come back recently, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not empty words as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome team headache for future matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

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

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"His aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was putting the possession 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 balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the game with two impressive periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other players registered in the final stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we truly performed freely and approached the match right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the game, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.