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After their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best performance of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a fairly difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

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

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

"My whole approach this period was to take the field and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses'

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

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he left off during the warmer months.

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

After come back last month, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those two colored shoes!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's has a great attitude to get across his detail and so that's why he fitted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's efforts also received commendation from the rival manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience was evident to the front," commented the ex- national coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is something that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was securing the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and different teammate did not appear out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps most satisfying for Farrell was the team bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while other teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game right from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the match, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's team will need to attain a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a important step in the correct path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.