After last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland team to step up their game.
Ireland responded immediately.
The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.
Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's best display of the season.
Making his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the nation of his origin.
"You know, I've had a fairly challenging period with fitness issues really," Hansen commented.
"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this group and this seems like family.
"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that privilege again.
"My entire approach this week was to take the field and perform what I could do."
Manager declared: 'Good athletes require no justifications'
Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.
In his case, it was essentially a matter of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.
The experienced player had been in superb condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the international squad.
After come back last month, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.
The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for future games.
"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's choice to wear mismatched footwear.
"Actually I thought that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.
"I said 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 choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'
"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."
Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.
"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the ex- national manager.
"Regrettably, Mack was likely the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."
When asked about what makes the player a good fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.
"His high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain field position.
"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."
Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.
Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.
But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was the team framing the match with multiple strong periods.
Hansen's initial couple of tries came in the opening eleven moments while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.
"I thought we really performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," stated the coach.
"How we handled numerous elements during the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."
The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test series on opposition soil.
The coach's side will need to attain another standard to defeat the consecutive title holders, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.
