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After their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Irish team to improve their game.

Ireland responded right away.

Ireland had faded late against New Zealand and taken considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a comprehensive victory that represented Ireland's best performance this year.

In his debut test match start at the number 15 position, the player scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

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

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand 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.

"Any time I get to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you might not get that opportunity again.

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

Coach declared: 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, Hansen was given the full-back role for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a case of continuing where he finished during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before physical issues disrupted his aspiration of joining the international squad.

After returned last month, he suffered a foot injury that made him unavailable for previous matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a welcome team dilemma for upcoming matches.

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform well in those different colored boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to wear mismatched footwear.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Good athletes don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he went, 'Yes, I agree.'

"Therefore he's that type of player, he prepares thoroughly, he's got a great attitude to understand his detail and thus that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to be himself because of that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "standout opposition player" on the night.

"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," commented the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best Australian player on the pitch. He's got a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial work was excellent, wasn't it? I believed we persisted of executing the right thing and that was placing the possession back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the possessions returned, and other players, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his return to the number 10 position, the scrum and line-out operated effectively and different player did not look out of place in his debut start in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the match with two impressive periods.

The player's initial two scores occurred in the first 11 moments while additional players registered in the final exchanges after the other team had crossed, guaranteeing the home team finished on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and approached the match right from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we handled various aspects during the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the second half, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an informal decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match contest on rival soil.

Farrell's team will need to reach another level to defeat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a important step in the correct direction after an uninspiring beginning to their fall schedule.