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Following their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, facing Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest performance of the season.

In his first test match appearance at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this feels like home.

"Whenever I have 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 week was to go out and do what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Good athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with several players injured.

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

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

After returned last month, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to sport different boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but it seems Mack just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his experience showed to the front," commented the former international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the right approach and that was putting the ball again on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside the star performer, there were numerous positives for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and another player did not look out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with two strong periods.

The player's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 moments while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the match, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match contest on rival territory.

Farrell's team will require to attain another level to defeat 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 fall schedule.