After last week's disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish team to improve their performance.
Ireland responded immediately.
The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.
However, against Australia, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented the team's best performance this year.
Making his debut international start at full-back, the player registered a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.
"Look, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.
"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like home.
"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not receive that opportunity again.
"My whole approach this period was to take the field and do what I can do."
Coach declared: 'Good players require no justifications'
After 28 caps on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back position for the initial time with multiple players injured.
In his case, it was simply a matter of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.
The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test team.
After come back recently, he suffered a lower body problem that ruled him out for earlier matches.
The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former club player gave his coach a welcome team headache for upcoming matches.
"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched boots.
"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself regardless. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.
"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'
"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains well, he's got a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself due to that."
The player's performance also earned praise from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.
"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the ex- national manager.
"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout Australian performer on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a strong contender."
When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that frequently.
"His high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to gain field position.
"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."
Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.
Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear out of place in his debut appearance in the forwards.
But perhaps most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two impressive periods.
Hansen's initial couple of tries came in the opening eleven minutes while additional teammates registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the home team concluded on a positive note.
"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the word go," said the coach.
"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition 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 field position and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that second half was really pleasing."
The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition soil.
Farrell's team will need to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.
