This is a new Fiji, says legendary Australian Wallabies winger Joe Roff.

Roff played for the Wallabies when they won the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He also played in the 1999 and 2003 tournaments as well.

He was at Saint-Etienne yesterday to watch the Flying Fijians break a 69-year drought by beating the Wallabies 22-15 in the crucial Pool C clash.

“Congratulations to Fiji, they were the better side,” Roff said.

“This is a new Fiji, they are disciplined, they are athletic, they are cohesive.

“They would not be out of place at the pointy end of this tournament.

“They played very well, they outplayed Australia.”

The loss leaves Australia needing a win against Wales in Lyon early next Monday, if they are to avoid missing out on the knockout stages for the first time in RWC history.

Joe Roff.

Elimination game 

“This leaves Australia with backs to the wall but often that is when the character of the team shines through the best,” added Roff.

“We know there is a mountain now and in certain respects next week becomes an elimination game.

“We start playing elimination games now, the team needs to dig in deep and I believe it has the character to do that.

“They will be disappointed with the number of penalties and the basic errors, the basic parts of the game that Australia prides itself on.

“There were elements that were up and down and that showed on the penalty count.

“The team will restock early on in the week because you can’t afford to go into Wales with those sorts of statistics.”

Story by: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj