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Following their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, the head coach told his Irish squad to improve their performance.

The team listened immediately.

The Irish side had faded late against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back excelling brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's finest display this year.

Making his first test match appearance at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult run with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

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

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

Manager stated: 'Good players don't need justifications'

Following 28 appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with multiple players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in excellent condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the international squad.

Having come back last month, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for future matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Good players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," said the ex- international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong fit at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he does from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

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

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly most pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two scores occurred in the opening eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home team finished on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and attacked the game straight from the word go," said the coach.

"How we handled numerous elements throughout the game, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what might be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's tied two-Test series on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to reach another level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.