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Following last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Ireland squad to step up their game.

The team listened immediately.

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

Nevertheless, facing Australia, they began powerfully, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's best display of the season.

In his first international appearance at the number 15 position, the player scored a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and performed outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty challenging period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

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

"Whenever I have to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

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

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

Following 28 appearances on the wing, Hansen was entrusted the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple players injured.

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

The experienced player had been in superb form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of making the international squad.

After come back last month, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty statements as the former club player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for future matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play well in those different coloured shoes!'," said the coach, referring to the player's decision to sport different boots.

"Actually I thought that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

"I thought he was super, his experience showed to the front," commented the ex- international coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a strong contender."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure territory.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is because it's the players of Hansen who was securing the balls returned, and additional players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and throw-in functioned effectively and another player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly more satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the game with two strong spells.

Hansen's initial couple of tries occurred in the first eleven minutes while other teammates registered in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a high.

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

"How we managed numerous aspects during the match, particularly them coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

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

Farrell's side will need to attain a higher level to beat the consecutive title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.