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After last week's disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland team to improve their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

In his debut international start at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

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

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with several teammates injured.

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

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

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially determined and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for future matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured boots!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's choice to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

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

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," said the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Mack was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a strong fit at full-back, Farrell added: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"His high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was putting the possession again on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the right thing to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

The player's first couple of scores came in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we handled various elements during the game, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of South Africa are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on rival soil.

The coach's side will need to attain another level to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.