Following their previous underwhelming showing against Japan, the head coach told his Irish squad to step up their game.
Ireland responded right away.
The Irish side had faded in the final stages against the All Blacks and taken most of the match to find their rhythm versus their Asian opponents.
However, against Australia, they started strongly, with the talented back shining most prominently during a 46-19 victory that represented the team's finest display of the season.
In his first test match start at full-back, the player registered a three tries, competed excellently for high balls and played outstandingly against the country of his origin.
"You know, I've experienced a fairly challenging period with fitness issues honestly," the athlete stated.
"I missed being in this squad, I know there's much talk about me not exactly being raised here and I didn't grow up here, but I love this team and this seems like family.
"Any time I have to represent for the national team it's a privilege, if you don't put in a good showing you might not get that privilege again.
"My entire focus this week was to go out and do what I can do."
Coach declared: 'Excellent players require no excuses'
After twenty-eight caps on the flank, Hansen was entrusted the full-back position for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.
For him, it was simply a case of picking up where he finished during the warmer months.
The 28-year-old had been in superb form before physical issues ended his aspiration of making the Test squad.
After returned recently, he suffered a foot problem that ruled him out for previous fixtures.
The coach had suggested that Hansen was particularly motivated and these turned out to be not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his coach a welcome selection dilemma for upcoming matches.
"Well my first reaction were, 'You need to play excellently in those two coloured shoes!'," said Farrell, referring to the player's choice to sport different boots.
"In fact I believed that was fitting but it seems Hansen just did that himself regardless. So he's attracted attention to himself before he's even started.
"I said to him before the match, 'Good players don't need excuses, they can get on with it and just be themselves, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he went, 'Yeah, I agree.'
"So he's that kind of performer, he trains well, he's has a excellent approach to understand his detail and so that's why he slotted right into the team and he was able to be himself due to that."
The player's efforts also earned commendation from the rival coach, who stated he was the "exceptional opposition player" on the night.
"In my view he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the front," commented the former international coach.
"Regrettably, Hansen was probably the best opposition player on the pitch. He's has a great skillset and he's such a good contender."
When asked about what makes the player a good fit at full-back, the coach added: "Showing up in the center of the field is something that he does from the flank anyway, but I imagine he's more in position for that more often.
"The player's high ball play was brilliant, don't you think? I believed we persisted of doing the right thing and that was placing the possession again on them to gain field position.
"Why that was the correct thing to do is because it's the likes of Hansen who was getting the balls back, and other players, so [it's] quite pleasing."
Outside Hansen, there were multiple encouraging aspects for Farrell.
Sam Prendergast was excellent on his return to the fly-half jersey, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and another teammate did not appear uncomfortable in his debut appearance in the front row.
But possibly more pleasing for Farrell was Ireland bookending the game with two strong periods.
Hansen's first two tries occurred in the opening eleven moments while other teammates scored in the closing exchanges after the other team had scored, ensuring the Irish team finished on a positive note.
"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the match straight from the beginning," said Farrell.
"How we managed various aspects throughout the match, particularly the opposition responding just before half-time and reorganizing ourselves and giving a performance like we did in the later stages, I thought as far as territory and being across most of our game in that later period was really satisfying."
The might of the Springboks are next up for Ireland, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to the previous season's tied multiple match series on rival territory.
The coach's team will require to reach a higher standard to defeat the back-to-back world champions, but Saturday's defeat of the Australian team was a significant step in the right path after an disappointing start to their fall campaign.
