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Following their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to improve their game.

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest display this year.

Making his debut test match appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with injuries really," Hansen commented.

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

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

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

Manager declared: 'Good players don't need excuses'

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was given the full-back position for the first time with several players unavailable.

In his case, it was essentially a case of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in superb form before injury disrupted his aspiration of making the Test team.

After returned recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for upcoming games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better perform excellently in those two colored shoes!'," said the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a great approach to get across his preparation and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received praise from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," said the former international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best opposition performer on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a good option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, 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 correct approach and that was putting the possession back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and another teammate did not look out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the game with two strong periods.

The player's first couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 moments while additional players registered in the closing stages after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish side finished on a high.

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

"How we handled various aspects throughout the game, especially the opposition coming back just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as territory and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what might be considered as an informal decider to last year's drawn multiple match contest on opposition soil.

The coach's side will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.