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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to step up their game.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling brightest during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's best display this year.

Making his debut test match start at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

"Whenever I get to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

After come back recently, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to wear different boots.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains 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."

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

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Showing up in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the ball again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out operated smoothly and different player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two strong periods.

Hansen's first two scores came in the first 11 minutes while other players scored in the final stages after the opposition had scored, guaranteeing the home side finished on a positive note.

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

"How we handled various aspects throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across most of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will require to attain another level to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.