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After last week's disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to improve their performance.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's finest display of the season.

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

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

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you might not get that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good players require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues ended his dream of joining the international team.

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

The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty words as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those two colored shoes!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good 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 thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes the player a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the ball back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the game with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's first two scores occurred in the first 11 minutes while other players registered in the final exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go," said Farrell.

"How we managed various aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's team will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their fall campaign.