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After last week's underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to step up their performance.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

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

In his debut test match start at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"You know, I've had a fairly challenging period with injuries honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much discussion about me not necessarily being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

"Any time I have to play for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not receive that privilege again.

"My entire approach this week was to go out and perform what I can do."

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

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was given the number 15 role for the initial time with multiple players injured.

In his case, it was essentially a case of picking up where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury disrupted his aspiration of joining the Test team.

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

The coach had suggested that the player was especially motivated and these turned out to be not empty words as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive team dilemma for future matches.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those two colored boots!'," commented the coach, alluding to Hansen's choice to sport different boots.

"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional opposition performer" on the evening.

"In my view he was super, his experience showed to the fore," commented the ex- national coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition 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, Farrell added: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in position for that more often.

"His high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I thought we didn't get bored of executing the right thing and that was putting the ball back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct thing to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in operated effectively and another player did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the match with two strong periods.

The player's initial two tries occurred in the first eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and approached the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we managed various aspects throughout the game, especially the opposition coming back just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our strategy in that later period was really satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an unofficial conclusion to the previous season's tied two-Test contest on opposition territory.

Farrell's side will require to attain another standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent defeat of the Wallabies was a important step in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn schedule.