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Following their previous disappointing performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish squad to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best performance of the season.

Making his debut test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like family.

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

"My entire focus this period was to take the field and do what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the summer.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before physical issues ended his aspiration of joining the Test team.

Having come back last month, he developed a lower body problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

The coach had indicated that the player was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his coach a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my first reaction were, 'You better play excellently in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to sport different footwear.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just did that personally anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

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

"Therefore he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a great approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout Australian player on the field. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."

When asked about what enables the player a good fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of executing the right approach and that was putting the ball again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the possessions back, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and line-out functioned effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But perhaps most satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with two impressive spells.

Hansen's initial couple of scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while other teammates scored in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the game, especially them coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across the majority of our strategy in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's drawn two-Test series on rival soil.

The coach's team will require to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.