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

The team listened right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against the All Blacks and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

However, against Australia, they began strongly, with the talented back excelling most prominently during a 46-19 victory that marked the team's finest display this year.

In his first test match appearance at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, contested excellently for high balls and played exceptionally against the country of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty challenging period with injuries really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much talk about me not necessarily being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this team and this feels like home.

"Any time I get to represent for Ireland it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that privilege again.

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

Manager stated: 'Excellent athletes require no justifications'

Following twenty-eight caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back position for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in excellent condition before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test squad.

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

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- club player gave his manager a welcome selection headache for upcoming games.

"Well my initial thoughts were, 'You better play well in those two coloured boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to Hansen's choice to wear different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Good athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you want,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that kind of performer, he trains thoroughly, he's got a excellent approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he fitted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

The player's performance also earned praise from the opposing coach, who remarked he was the "standout opposition player" on the evening.

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

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition performer on the field. He's has a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

When asked about what enables Hansen a good option at the number 15 position, the coach continued: "Appearing in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's more in place for that frequently.

"The player's high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the correct approach and that was placing the ball back on them to secure field position.

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

Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 jersey, the scrum and throw-in functioned smoothly and different teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was Ireland framing the game with two impressive periods.

Hansen's initial couple of tries occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional players scored in the final exchanges after the opposition had scored, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and approached the game right from the word go," stated Farrell.

"The way we handled numerous elements throughout the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be considered as an informal decider to last year's tied multiple match contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will need to attain another standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but the recent victory of the Wallabies was a important advancement in the right direction after an disappointing start to their autumn schedule.