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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best display of the season.

In his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult period with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this group and this feels like home.

"Any time I get to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach stated: 'Good players don't need excuses'

Following twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was given the full-back role for the initial time with several teammates injured.

For him, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the international team.

After come back last month, he developed a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's choice to sport different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience showed to the fore," commented the former international manager.

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

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at full-back, Farrell 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 frequently.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

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

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with multiple strong spells.

The player's initial two scores came in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the game straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to last year's drawn multiple match series on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.