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Following last week's disappointing showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland squad to improve their performance.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, against Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented Ireland's finest performance of the season.

Making his first test match start at full-back, Hansen registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.

"I longed for being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

"Whenever I get to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

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

Coach stated: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

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

Having returned last month, he developed a lower body problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the former provincial player gave his coach a positive team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better play well in those two colored boots!'," commented the coach, referring to the player's decision to wear mismatched boots.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no justifications, they can perform and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent attitude to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to be himself due to that."

The player's efforts also received commendation from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "standout opposition performer" on the evening.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what enables the player a strong fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the possession back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and other players, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut start in the forwards.

But possibly most satisfying for Farrell was Ireland framing the match with multiple impressive spells.

The player's first two tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while additional players registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, ensuring the home side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the game right from the beginning," stated the coach.

"The way we handled numerous elements during the match, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we did in the second half, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our game in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an informal decider to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on rival territory.

Farrell's team will require to attain another level to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the right direction after an uninspiring beginning to their autumn campaign.