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After last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented the team's best display this year.

In his debut test match start at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult period with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that privilege again.

"My entire approach this week was to take the field and perform what I could do."

Coach declared: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the international team.

Having come back recently, he developed a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured shoes!'," commented Farrell, alluding to the player's choice to sport different boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's performance also earned commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the fore," said the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout opposition performer on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what makes the player a good fit at the number 15 position, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the ball back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the forwards.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the game with two impressive spells.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we managed numerous elements throughout the game, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's tied two-Test series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to attain another level to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.