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

The team responded immediately.

Ireland had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required most of the match to find their rhythm versus Japan.

However, against the Wallabies, they started powerfully, with the talented back shining brightest during a comprehensive victory that represented the team's finest display this year.

Making his first international appearance at full-back, Hansen scored a three tries, competed brilliantly for aerial challenges and performed outstandingly against the nation of his origin.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues really," Hansen stated.

"I missed being in this team, I know there's much 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 have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you don't put in a performance you may not get that privilege again.

"My whole approach this period was to go out and do what I can do."

Manager stated: 'Good athletes don't need justifications'

Following twenty-eight appearances on the flank, the player was entrusted the number 15 role for the first time with multiple players unavailable.

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

The 28-year-old had been in superb form before injury ended his aspiration of joining the Test squad.

Having returned recently, he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out for earlier matches.

Farrell had indicated that Hansen was particularly determined and these proved not empty statements as the former club player gave his manager a positive selection headache for future matches.

"So my initial reaction were, 'You need to perform excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," commented the coach, referring to Hansen's decision to sport different boots.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but it seems Hansen just made that himself anyway. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.

"I told to him before the match, 'Good players require no excuses, they can get on with it and just play naturally, you can get the man of the match if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I concur.'

"Therefore he's that type of performer, he prepares thoroughly, he's has a great approach to understand his preparation and thus that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's performance also earned praise from the rival manager, who stated he was the "standout Australian player" on the evening.

"In my view he was outstanding, his knowledge showed to the front," said the ex- international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the best opposition performer on the pitch. He's has a great ability and he's such a good competitor."

Pressed about what makes Hansen a good fit at full-back, the coach continued: "Appearing in the center of the field is a trait that he demonstrates from the wing anyway, but I imagine he's more in place for that more often.

"The player's aerial play was excellent, wasn't it? I thought we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was placing the ball back on them to secure territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is because it's the players of Mackie who was securing the balls back, and additional teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

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

Another player was outstanding on his comeback to the number 10 position, the set piece and line-out functioned smoothly and different teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his first appearance in the forwards.

But perhaps more satisfying for the manager was the team bookending the match with two strong spells.

Hansen's initial two scores occurred in the opening 11 minutes while additional teammates registered in the closing stages after the other team had scored, guaranteeing the Irish team concluded on a positive note.

"In my opinion we truly let ourselves go and approached the game straight from the beginning," said the coach.

"How we managed various elements during the match, especially them responding just before half-time and regathering ourselves and producing a performance like we achieved in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being familiar with the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The strength of South Africa are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an unofficial decider to the previous season's drawn multiple match series on opposition territory.

The coach's team will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant advancement in the correct direction after an uninspiring start to their fall schedule.