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Following their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, the head coach told his Ireland squad to improve their game.

Ireland listened right away.

The Irish side had faded late against New Zealand and required most of the match to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that marked the team's finest display of the season.

In his first international appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've had a fairly challenging run with injuries honestly," Hansen commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's considerable discussion about me not exactly being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this team and this seems like family.

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

"My whole approach this week was to take the field and do what I could do."

Coach stated: 'Good athletes don't need excuses'

Following 28 caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

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

Having returned last month, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for previous matches.

The coach had indicated that Hansen was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive selection headache for upcoming matches.

"Well my first thoughts were, 'You better perform well in those different colored boots!'," said the coach, alluding to Hansen's decision to sport different boots.

"Actually I thought that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn attention to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he prepares well, he's has a excellent approach to get across his detail and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the rival coach, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the field. He's got a great skillset and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he does from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"His aerial work was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of doing the correct approach and that was placing the ball again on them to secure territory.

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

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

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 jersey, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear out of place in his first appearance in the forwards.

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

The player's initial couple of tries came in the first 11 moments while other teammates scored in the final stages after the opposition had scored, ensuring the home team concluded on a high.

"I thought we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled various elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was truly satisfying."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's tied two-Test contest on opposition territory.

The coach's side will need to reach another level to beat the consecutive world champions, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their fall schedule.