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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked Ireland's finest display this year.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues really," Hansen commented.

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

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that privilege again.

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

Manager declared: 'Excellent players don't need excuses'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the Test team.

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better perform well in those two coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to the player's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

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

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the front," commented the ex- national manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in position for that frequently.

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

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two impressive spells.

The player's first two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players registered in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the home side concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous aspects during the match, especially them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our game in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test series on rival territory.

The coach's side will require to attain a higher standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn schedule.