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Following their previous underwhelming showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland squad to step up their game.

Ireland responded immediately.

Ireland had struggled late against New Zealand and taken most of the match to get going versus Japan.

However, facing the Wallabies, they started strongly, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked Ireland's finest display this year.

In his first test match start at the number 15 position, Hansen scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

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

"Any time I get to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a good showing you may not receive that privilege again.

"My entire focus this period was to go out and do what I can do."

Manager declared: 'Excellent athletes require no excuses'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was entrusted the full-back role for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his dream of making the Test team.

After returned recently, he suffered a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that the player was particularly motivated and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive selection dilemma for future games.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You better play well in those two colored boots!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's decision to sport mismatched boots.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Hansen just made that personally regardless. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players require no justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he trains well, he's got a excellent approach to get across his preparation and so that's why he fitted straight back in and he was able to perform naturally due to that."

The player's efforts also received praise from the opposing manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

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

"Unfortunately, Hansen was likely the standout opposition player on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

Pressed about what enables the player a good option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Appearing in the center of the pitch is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I suppose he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the right approach and that was placing the ball back on them to gain territory.

"The reason that was the right strategy to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and additional teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond Hansen, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out operated effectively and another teammate did not appear out of place in his first start in the front row.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with multiple impressive periods.

Hansen's initial two tries came in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the match straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we managed various aspects throughout the game, particularly them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and producing a display like we did in the second half, I thought as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that later period was really pleasing."

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

The coach's team will require to attain another standard to beat the consecutive world champions, but Saturday's victory of the Wallabies was a significant advancement in the correct path after an disappointing beginning to their autumn campaign.