Brisbane Roar recruit Shane Stefanutto believes the underdog tag will suit the Australian national team at next month's World Cup.

Stefanutto, who recently joined the Roar from A-League rivals North Queensland Fury, knows the Socceroos face tough opponents in South Africa but he thinks that being underrated will be a good thing for the players.

"I think it is a good group to have they are all really difficult opponents but I think going in as the underdogs suits us and think the players will definitely rise to the challenge," he told the PFA's official website.

The 30-year old was a fringe national team player earlier this season, before sustaining a serious knee injury that shattered his World Cup dream, but he believes that he was never really a chance to be a part of the squad that would go to represent the nation.

"I was pretty realistic about my chances of going to the World Cup, I think it would have been a good effort to make the 30 man squad and it may have been unlikely making the final 23 man squad," he added.