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After last week's disappointing performance against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team listened immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive triumph that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

In his first international appearance at full-back, the player scored a hat-trick, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a fairly difficult period with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like family.

"Whenever I get to play for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was given the number 15 position for the first time with several players injured.

For him, it was simply a matter of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

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

Having come back recently, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for earlier fixtures.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow words as the former provincial player gave his manager a welcome team headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different colored shoes!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's choice to wear mismatched footwear.

"Actually I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains thoroughly, he's got 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 due to that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was super, his knowledge was evident to the fore," commented the former international manager.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout opposition performer on the field. He's has a excellent ability and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that frequently.

"His aerial play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was putting the ball again on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is since it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and different player did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was the team bookending the match with multiple impressive spells.

Hansen's first couple of tries came in the opening eleven minutes while other players scored in the final stages after the other team had crossed, ensuring the Irish team finished on a high.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"How we managed numerous aspects throughout the game, especially them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across the majority of our game in that second half was really satisfying."

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

Farrell's team will require to reach another standard to beat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.