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After their previous underwhelming performance against the Japanese team, Andy Farrell told his Irish squad to step up their game.

The team responded right away.

The Irish side had struggled late against New Zealand and required considerable time to get going versus their Asian opponents.

However, facing Australia, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a 46-19 triumph that marked the team's best performance this year.

Making his first international start at the number 15 position, Hansen registered a three tries, competed brilliantly for high balls and played exceptionally against the nation of his origin.

"You know, I've experienced a pretty difficult run with fitness issues honestly," the athlete commented.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much discussion about me not exactly being born here and I didn't grow up here, but I adore this team and this feels like family.

"Any time I get to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you might not receive that opportunity again.

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

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

After 28 appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 position for the first time with multiple teammates injured.

For him, it was simply 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 aspiration of making the international squad.

Having returned last month, he developed a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

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

"So my initial thoughts were, 'You need to perform excellently in those different colored boots!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's choice to sport different boots.

"Actually I believed that was fitting but apparently Hansen just made that personally anyway. So he's attracted notice to himself before he's even started.

"I said to him before the match, 'Excellent players don't need justifications, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the man of the match if you want,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he prepares well, he's got a excellent attitude to get across his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right into the team and he was capable to be himself because of that."

Hansen's performance also received commendation from the rival manager, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his knowledge was evident to the fore," said the ex- international manager.

"Regrettably, Hansen was likely the standout opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a good contender."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a strong option at the number 15 position, Farrell continued: "Showing up in the center of the pitch is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I suppose he's better in place for that more often.

"His high ball play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we persisted of executing the correct 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 players of Mackie who was getting the balls back, and other teammates, so [it's] quite satisfying."

Outside Hansen, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in operated effectively and another teammate did not look out of place in his first start in the forwards.

But perhaps more pleasing for Farrell was the team framing the match with multiple strong periods.

The player's initial two tries came in the opening eleven moments while other teammates scored in the closing stages after the opposition had crossed, guaranteeing the Irish team finished on a positive note.

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

"The way we managed various elements throughout the match, especially them responding just before the break and regathering ourselves and giving a display like we achieved in the later stages, I believed as far as field position and being familiar with most of our game in that second half was really pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what might be viewed as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn two-Test series on opposition territory.

Farrell's team will need to reach a higher standard to beat the back-to-back title holders, but the recent victory of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the right direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.