1
'It was probably our worst effort of the year' - Boyd slams his Northampton Saints side
Northampton Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd was not a happy man despite Dan Biggar snatching a 35-32 victory from the jaws of defeat for his team against Benetton Rugby.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a thrilling Heineken Champions Cup clash, Saints rallied from 25-8 down and fly-half Biggar won the game in the 85th minute with a nerveless last-gasp penalty.
Northampton’s bonus-point success made it two wins from two at the start of their European campaign, but Boyd still slammed the performance.
“We have to be way better and if we play like that again, we’ll get a pasting,” he said. “I don’t think either side can say they played well enough to walk away with five points.
“It was a game we did well to come back in. The try before half time was crucial as 25-8 might have been a bridge too far.
“We were so far off our game despite the fact we talked about how difficult it would be here. We were miles off and it was probably our worst effort of the year.
“We were loose and sloppy and all the things we talked about not being. We’ve had some good performances this season, but today we were sloppy.
ADVERTISEMENT
“To be 25-15 down at half time was much better with the try in the bag and it meant we only had to score twice to level and we had 40 minutes so there was no rush.
“At the end of the day I guess the positive is we found a way to win even though we were far from our best.”
Scared Potter?https://t.co/vqoq5q7uIb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2019
Northampton saw match winner Biggar yellow carded for a dangerous tackle in the first half as Benetton played some committed rugby.
The Italians scored through Epalahame Faiva and Iliesa Ratuva and Tommaso Allan kicked two conversions and two penalties.
ADVERTISEMENT
Saints were up against it, but Cobus Reinach grabbed the effort Boyd referred to as crucial just before the break after Tom Collins had been sent to the line by an outrageous Biggar pass.
In the second half Saints rallied to turn the tables and lead 32-25 thanks to Ollie Sleightholme, Collins’ second, and the boot of Biggar after Braam Steyn had seen yellow.
'There is a lot of politics in sport and maybe we were a little bit naive'
– @heagneyl runs the rule of whether attitudes in Ireland are mellowing regarding the IRFU vow to never again bid to host a Rugby World Cup
https://t.co/cJoQNTWZjC— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2019
It looked like it would be enough for victory, but Benetton hooker Faiva grabbed his second to tie the scores before the late drama.
Jamie Gibson won a crucial turnover for Saints and, when Ratuva was judged to have deliberately knocked on Collins’ pass, it gave Biggar a chance and the Wales star sent his kick between the posts.
“Dan doesn’t miss very often in those crunch situations,” Boyd said. “We knew once Jamie had won the turnover that if we could get some field position, then three points would be enough to win.
“If we’d come here and lost, those points might have made a big difference. You can’t afford to leave your destiny in the hands of others. “
Comments on RugbyPass
I know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
2 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
2 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to comments