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'If you want to go into battle with anyone, it's Dan Biggar… he's an absolute trooper'
After being understandably piqued by criticism coming from one of his own countryman, JJ Williams, in a not-so-friendly fire, Dan Biggar has been staunchly defended by his club coach at Northampton.
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“If you need someone to stay on task, to make sure that they keep their nerve to run a game down, or close a game out in knockout rugby, there is no better player in the world. He’s mentally as tough as hell,” said Chris Boyd to RugbyPass about his Welsh out-half.
The former Hurricanes head coach, who led the Wellington-based Super Rugby franchise to the title in 2016 and oversaw All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett, added that what sets Biggar apart is his unshakeable mental resolve.
“I have often said I’d hate to see an argument between him and TJ Perenara. They are two of the most bloody-minded people I’ve ever worked with. If you want to go into battle with anyone, it’s Dan Biggar. He’s an absolute trooper.”
Speaking at the midweek Gallagher Premiership launch at Twickenham, Boyd was particularly pleased with the performance his Saints pivot put in against England last month at the Principality Stadium after his worth to Wales had been publicly questioned.
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“The response he put in against England, after he had criticism, well I thought it was superb. That summed up, in a nutshell, what Dan Biggar can do and who he is as a bloke.”
With Gareth Anscombe, the former Chiefs full-back, having to sit out the World Cup with a long-term ACL injury, some people have suggested that Wales’ attacking flair has disappeared with him.
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Boyd, though, feels the reality is more nuanced and undersells what Biggar actually brings to Warren Gatland’s squad. “I don’t know how Wales are intending to play the game out in Japan but it will be a mistake to play a different game to what he is capable of doing.
Dan Biggar spearheaded a confidence-inducing win over a subdued English side and silenced a few doubters. @WelshRugbyUnion can travel to Turkey in good spirits with their World Cup plans still in tact.
– writes @OwainJTJones #RWC2019 #walveng https://t.co/tcpaVzHOte
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 18, 2019
“Don’t forget the bloody-mindedness he brings has made Wales pretty successful over the last four or five years. He gets a bit emotional on the pitch, but that’s his nature. He demands such high standards.”
Boyd admitted that before he started working closely with Biggar at Franklin’s Gardens if the player’s his ultra-competitiveness would be to the detriment of the team. His fears proved unfounded.
“When you get those determined individuals, you do wonder, but I’ve found, like TJ (Perenara), he is a great team man. He bought into a bigger concept than ‘Dan Biggar’ and that is great. He’s just a really, really good human being.”
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Be the Biggar man. ? #WALvsENG #walesrugby #englandrugby #rwc #rugbyworldcup #rugby
It’s just over a year since Boyd started to work with the former Ospreys playmaker, explaining he was pleasantly surprised with the calibre of player he inherited when Jim Mallinder left Northampton after a decade at the helm.
“The nice thing about Dan is that when I first met him, we had a really clear agreement that if he had a good three years experience at Northampton then so would I. There are parts of his game that he needs to improve, and he is aware of that, but what I offered him was safety inside the Northampton framework to try and develop his game.
“By his own admission, he is not the most naturally gifted athlete in the world. He’s more comfortable running a game than trying to orchestrate things but he has worked hard. His foot and hand skills are extremely competent. I have no doubt he will be highly influential for Wales in Japan.”
Missing out with England hasn't been easy for Dylan Hartley https://t.co/AMyWTfN4gk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 12, 2019
Another to pitch in and back a former rival for the fabled Test No10 jersey was 50-cap Wales and Bath fly-half, Rhys Priestland. “Look, Dan’s a great competitor, a fantastic kicker and unbelievable under the high ball.
“I probably see more of him playing for Wales now and whenever he has come on for Anscombe he has had a positive impact. I got better coming across the bridge (to play in the Premiership) and I’m sure he’s the same.”
Like Boyd, Priestland thinks the intense scrutiny Biggar comes under is water off a duck’s back – par for the course in Wales. “It’s a weird one. When Anscombe was playing, there were people asking for him to start, and now Dan is starting they are asking for someone else.
“The squad have been together long enough this summer that they are in a good place. They are at a stage where I can’t see external opinions having an influence on the squad. If they do, it will only serve to make them stronger. I’m sure he will thrive in the pressure of a World Cup.”
WATCH: The RugbyPass stadium guide to Toyota where Wales will open their World Cup campaign against Georgia on September 23
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
24 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments