SAM Warburton has heaped praise on Dan Biggar after another solid performance in Wales' 23-12 win over Fiji.

The skipper called his fly-half one of the team's key men and said his form stretches back to 2013.

Warburton said: "I think everyone thinks highly of him and he's one of the main leaders in the group now as well.

"He talks extremely well during the game, he's very committed, a top professional and he's one of our key men at the moment.

"He's had some great games in this World Cup and not just then, going back to the Six Nations in 2013 - I thought he was excellent then.

"So for a long time Dan's been a key figure for us pulling the strings.

"He's playing extremely well."

After such a short turnaround from the victory over England on Saturday, tonight's match took its toll on the Cardiff Blues back-rower.

He said: "I thought that was one of the tougher test matches I've played in.

"First half I was worried Gats was going to pull me off because I was running around too slowly.

"I was exhausted.

"None of the players spoke about that until after the game because we didn't want any negative talk about it at all.

"I realised a bonus point would be extremely tough to get and that would be disrespectful to Fiji to talk about it before the game.

"We knew with just a five-day turnaround it would be one of the toughest test matches we'd play in.

"After the England game last week, the changing room was absolutely bouncing, but this week there was a completely different feel.

"We were shattered.

"I do really feel for the other tier three nations who have to go through that turnaround - it was extremely tough and especially at this level.

"But I don't want to take anything away from Fiji's performance.

"They were a completely different side from four years ago and I thought they played extremely well."

Warburton was so tired he cannot remember Vereniki Goneva's stunning try as he was asked about it in the post-match press conference.

He said: "I'll be honest, I can't remember the try.

"I'm pretty tired.

"I thought our defence in general was ok.

"Our target was not to concede a try against Fiji, but even conceding one I was pretty happy with our defence.

"We were pretty effective in slowing their ball down with three-second tackles and we managed to get off the line.

"I was pretty confident we weren't going to concede a second try which is why it was so important to keep kicking three points to maintain that 10-point lead.

"If that was down to a seven-point cushion it would've been quite nervy but I always have confidence in our defence.

"It didn't all go plain-sailing because Fiji didn't allow that to happen, but I was happy."

They now have a week and a half off until they face Australia in a potential pool-decider, and Wales have come unstuck against the Wallabies on a number of occasions under Warren Gatland.

"It's all part of the masterplan I think," Warburton joked.

"Australia have always been one of the best opponents we ever seem to play against.

"Whenever they come to the Millennium they always seem to up their game and especially at half-back.

"Whatever half-back pairing they pick they always seem to have an unbelievable game when they play against us.

"We take a lot of confidence from our defeats to them because it's come down to a last minute penalty or one guy jumping out of the line - really the finest possible margins in test rugby.

"So we know that we've got the makings to get the win against Australia.

"I've seen some of their games and they look good, particularly at the breakdown, and that will be a work-on for us this week."