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Following their previous disappointing showing against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish team to improve their game.

Ireland listened right away.

Ireland had struggled late against the All Blacks and taken considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

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

Making his first international start at full-back, the player scored a three tries, contested excellently for aerial challenges and played exceptionally against the country of his origin.

"Look, I've experienced a pretty difficult period with fitness issues honestly," Hansen stated.

"I longed for being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not exactly being raised here and I wasn't raised here, but I love this group and this seems like family.

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

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

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

Following 28 caps on the wing, the player was given the full-back role for the first time with several players injured.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb condition before physical issues ended his dream of joining the international squad.

After come back recently, he developed a lower body injury that made him unavailable for earlier matches.

Farrell had suggested that Hansen was particularly motivated and these proved not empty words as the ex- club player gave his coach a positive selection headache for upcoming games.

"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to perform well in those different coloured shoes!'," said the coach, alluding to the player's decision to sport mismatched footwear.

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

"I said to him before the match, 'Good players require no justifications, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he responded, 'Yeah, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that kind of player, he trains well, he's got a excellent approach to get across his detail and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally because of that."

The player's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing manager, who remarked he was the "exceptional Australian player" on the evening.

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

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

When asked about what makes Hansen a good option at full-back, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the middle of the pitch is a trait that he does from the wing regardless, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"His high ball work was excellent, don't you think? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right thing and that was putting the possession back on them to secure field position.

"The reason that was the correct strategy to do is since it's the players of Hansen who was getting the possessions back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous encouraging aspects for Farrell.

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the fly-half position, the scrum and line-out functioned effectively and different player did not look out of place in his first start in the front row.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was the team framing the game with two strong periods.

The player's first couple of scores occurred in the first 11 moments while other teammates registered in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we really performed freely and attacked the game straight from the beginning," stated the coach.

"How we handled numerous elements during the game, particularly the opposition coming back just before half-time and regathering 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 game in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of the Springboks are next up for the team, in what could be viewed as an unofficial decider to last year's tied multiple match series on opposition soil.

The coach's side will need to reach another standard to beat the consecutive title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Wallabies was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing start to their autumn campaign.