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Following last week's disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

Ireland responded right away.

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

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's finest display this year.

Making his debut international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

"My entire approach this week was to go out and perform what I can do."

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

Following 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the full-back position for the initial time with several teammates injured.

In his case, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his dream of joining the international team.

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

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those different coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"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 match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted straight into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the night.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best Australian player on the field. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a strong contender."

Pressed about what enables Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls returned, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside the star performer, there were multiple positives for the coach.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not look uncomfortable in his first appearance in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the match with two strong periods.

The player's initial two tries came in the opening eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we managed various aspects during the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are awaiting for Ireland, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's drawn two-Test series on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will require to reach another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.