Mack Hansen produces brilliant display as Irish squad answer to Farrell's demand
After last week's disappointing performance against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Irish team to step up their game.
Ireland responded right away.
Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.
Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's best performance this year.
Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.
"Look, I've had a fairly difficult run with injuries honestly," Hansen stated.
"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like home.
"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.
"My entire focus this period was to go out and do what I could do."
Manager stated: 'Good players require no excuses'
After 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with several players injured.
In his case, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he finished during the summer.
The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of making the international squad.
After returned last month, he suffered a lower body problem that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.
Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former club player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.
"So my first reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those two colored boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different boots.
"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.
"I told to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'
"So he's that type of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."
The player's performance also received commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the night.
"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," said the former international coach.
"Unfortunately, Mack was likely the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."
Pressed about what makes the player a good option at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.
"The player's high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the correct thing and that was placing the ball again on them to secure territory.
"The reason that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."
Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.
Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the front row.
But possibly most satisfying for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple strong spells.
Hansen's first couple of tries came in the first eleven moments while other players registered in the final stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish side concluded on a high.
"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the match right from the beginning," stated the coach.
"How we handled numerous aspects during the match, particularly them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that second half was really satisfying."
The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on rival territory.
The coach's side will need to reach a higher standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.