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After last week's underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach challenged his Ireland team to improve their game.

The team listened right away.

Ireland had struggled in the final stages against the All Blacks and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.

Nevertheless, against the Wallabies, they began strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that represented the team's finest display this year.

In his first international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a hat-trick, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the nation of his birth.

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

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

"Whenever I get to represent for the national team it's a honor, if you fail to deliver a performance you might not receive that privilege again.

"My entire approach this period was to go out and perform what I could do."

Coach declared: 'Excellent players require no justifications'

After twenty-eight appearances on the wing, the player was given the number 15 position for the initial time with multiple teammates unavailable.

In his case, it was simply a matter of continuing where he left off during the summer.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury ended his aspiration of making the Test squad.

Having returned last month, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

Farrell had indicated that the player was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a positive selection headache for future games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You need to play well in those two colored boots!'," commented Farrell, referring to the player's choice to wear different footwear.

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

"I told to him before the game, 'Excellent athletes don't need justifications, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can get the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he prepares well, he's has a great approach to understand his detail and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

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

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the fore," said the former national coach.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the best opposition player on the field. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what enables the player a good option at the number 15 position, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that frequently.

"His aerial work was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession back on them to secure field position.

"Why that was the right thing to do is because it's the likes of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] pretty pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were multiple encouraging aspects for the coach.

Sam Prendergast was outstanding on his return to the fly-half position, the set piece and throw-in functioned smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first start in the forwards.

But possibly more pleasing for the manager was the team bookending the game with multiple impressive spells.

The player's initial couple of tries came in the first eleven moments while additional teammates registered in the final stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the home side concluded on a positive note.

"I thought we truly let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the word go," stated the coach.

"How we managed various elements during the game, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being across most of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of the Springboks are awaiting for Ireland, in what could be viewed as an unofficial conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test contest on opposition soil.

Farrell's team will require to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a important step in the correct direction after an disappointing beginning to their fall schedule.