Following their previous disappointing showing against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their game.
Ireland responded immediately.
Ireland had faded late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to get going versus Japan.
However, facing the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's finest performance this year.
In his first international appearance at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his birth.
"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.
"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like family.
"Whenever I have to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you might not get that privilege again.
"My entire focus this week was to take the field and do what I could do."
Coach stated: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'
After 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with several teammates unavailable.
In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he finished during the summer.
The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international team.
Having returned last month, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.
The coach had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming matches.
"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those two colored boots!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's choice to wear different boots.
"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Mack just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.
"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'
"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was able to be himself due to that."
The player's performance also earned commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.
"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the ex- national coach.
"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."
Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.
"His aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of executing the right thing and that was placing the ball again on them to gain field position.
"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the balls back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."
Beyond the star performer, there were multiple positives for Farrell.
Another player was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another player did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.
But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with two strong spells.
Hansen's first two tries occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates scored in the final stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.
"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the word go," stated Farrell.
"How we handled numerous aspects throughout the game, particularly them coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."
The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's tied multiple match contest on opposition territory.
Farrell's team will require to reach a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant step in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.
