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Following last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish team to step up their game.

Ireland 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 the Wallabies, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked Ireland's finest performance this year.

Making his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

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

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with several players unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a matter of picking up 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 come back last month, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's choice to wear different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Mack just made that personally regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a great approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- national manager.

"Regrettably, Mack was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

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

"His aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

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

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But possibly most pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the match with two impressive periods.

The player's first couple of scores came in the opening 11 moments while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we handled various elements during the match, particularly them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal decider to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's side will require to reach another level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.