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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Irish squad to step up their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against the All Blacks and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's best performance this year.

Making his debut test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this team, I understand there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this seems like home.

"Whenever I have to play for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.

"My whole approach this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

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

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before injury ended his dream of making the international squad.

Having come back recently, he suffered a lower body injury that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially determined and these turned out to be not hollow words as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming games.

"Well my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured boots!'," said Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he fitted straight into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of 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 outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the front," said the ex- international coach.

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

Pressed about what makes the player a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's better in place for that frequently.

"His high ball work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right approach and that was placing the ball again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the possessions returned, and additional players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and another player did not look uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other players scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the match right from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled numerous aspects throughout the match, especially them responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly satisfying."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match series on rival soil.

Farrell's team will require to reach another level to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.