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After last week's underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to step up their performance.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's best performance this year.

Making his first test match start at the number 15 position, the player registered a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not get that privilege again.

"My entire approach this week was to take the field and perform what I can do."

Coach declared: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with several teammates injured.

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

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

Having returned last month, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for future games.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You better perform excellently in those two colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a great approach 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."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the night.

"In my view he was super, his knowledge showed to the fore," commented the former international coach.

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

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was putting the possession again on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the match with two strong periods.

The player's first couple of tries came in the opening eleven moments while additional players scored in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the match, especially the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was truly pleasing."

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

Farrell's team will need to attain a higher standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.