AUSTRALIAN superstar Joe Roff has revealed how he almost joined Newport last year.

And Roff, who starred for Australia in their Test series victory against the British Lions, believes a Northern Hemisphere country has a good chance of winning the World Cup Down Under next year.

Roff is in Wales on a promotional visit for his home province Canberra, hosts of the highly successful Brumbies team and for Wales in the World Cup.

He watched Newport's Heineken Cup victory over London Irish on Saturday and chose try scoring flanker Jason Forster as the man-of-the-match.

Roff, capped 72 times, revealed why he selected French team Biarritz ahead of Newport for his year's sabbatical in Europe.

"I was very close to joining Newport," he admitted. "I looked into it and while it did appeal to me it was quite similar here to Australia and I was looking for something different.

"I looked into the proud traditions of Newport and I believe they should hold on to that.

"I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the London Irish game. It was a bit stop-start, but the tension was fantastic and it was within a try the whole match.

"Newport haven't had a good season, but had a good win today.

"Jason (Forster) had a solid all-round game and I've played with Simon Raiwalui before. He had a big game too."

On the World Cup Roff says: "It's rubbish to say the Southern Hemisphere countries are favourites.

"Being at home is a big advantage statistically, but there is plenty of healthy competition and it's going to be the best World Cup since it started in 1987.

"Any Welshmen visiting Canberra will find it a great place. It will be jumping out of its skin around World Cup time.

"I've always had a great time in Wales and Welshmen will have a great time out there."

Roff believes setting up a province in North Wales could follow the example of the Brumbies, though he is aware of the Welsh club traditions.

"David Moffett (the WRU's new chief executive, brought up in Australia) is using the Brumbies as an example," said Roff.

"It worked there and if people are forward thinking and keen to get the franchise it can happen here. But we don't have the same tradition and pride in club rugby as in Wales.

"I don't think David is trying to undermine the integrity of clubs, but rather provide the chance for competition at a higher level week in, week out which is important to bridge the higher jump to international rugby."