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Following last week's underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to step up their game.

The team responded right away.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

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

In his debut international start at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, contested excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.

"You know, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

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

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

"My whole focus this week was to take the field and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes require no justifications'

Following 28 caps on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 role for the initial time with several teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of making the international squad.

After returned last month, he developed a foot problem that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these turned out to be not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's choice to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a excellent attitude to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's performance also received commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "standout Australian player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- national coach.

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

When asked about what enables the player a strong fit at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is something that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in position for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct thing and that was placing the possession back on them to gain field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other players, so [it's] pretty satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his comeback to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps most pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two impressive periods.

The player's initial couple of tries came in the first eleven moments while other teammates registered in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the home side finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the word go," said the coach.

"The way we managed various elements throughout the match, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time 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 truly satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what might be considered as an unofficial decider to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to attain another standard to defeat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.