'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.
“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.
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
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments