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Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 triumph that represented Ireland's finest display this year.

In his first international start at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty challenging period with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not receive that opportunity again.

"My entire focus this period was to go out and do what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

After 28 caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in superb condition before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the international team.

Having come back recently, he suffered a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty words as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for future matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those different colored boots!'," commented Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different boots.

"In fact I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," commented the ex- national coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's got a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's better in position for that frequently.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team framing the match with two impressive spells.

Hansen's first couple of tries came in the first 11 minutes while other players registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a high.

"I thought we really let ourselves go and attacked the match right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"The way we handled various elements throughout the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match series on opposition soil.

The coach's team will require to attain another standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall campaign.