'It's huge disappointment, shock, but we are also adults and realise we have just got to get on with it'
Wales’ Dan Biggar has spoken of his “huge disappointment” over the Rob Howley affair that has rocked Wales’ World Cup camp.
The Wales assistant coach is now back home following an alleged breach of World Rugby’s betting and anti-corruption regulations, and he faces a detailed investigation.
Against that backdrop, Biggar and company are preparing for next Monday’s World Cup opener against Georgia, which is followed by an appointment with Australia six days later.
Asked at a press conference in Kitakyushu to outline the squad’s emotions when they were told the news, flyhalf Biggar said: “They were disappointed. Especially for people like myself and Jon (centre Jonathan Davies), who have only ever had Rob as a coach in the set-up and he has given us every single cap we have had.
“It’s a huge disappointment, really, and shock, I suppose, but we are also adults and realise if things like this happen then we have just got to get on with it.
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“That’s what has been great about this squad over the last year or two is that whatever has come our way – we had a couple of distractions in the last Six Nations and we went on to win our final two games and the Grand Slam – we are strong.
“We have got lots of strong characters in the squad, and hopefully that will stand us in good stead for the next five or six weeks. I don’t think we need a huge amount more galvanising than the prize that is at stake on November 2 (World Cup final day). That is the main aim of all of us coming here, and it still remains the same.”
Davies, meanwhile, revealed he had a conversation with Howley before he left, but the Scarlets centre did not divulge details. With Howley gone from the camp, 104-times capped former Wales flyhalf Stephen Jones will link up with the squad as attack coach in Toyota City on Thursday.
It's awkward for Warren Gatland after the sudden exit of Rob Howley from the Wales set-uphttps://t.co/IKMB6wRce7
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 18, 2019
Jones was already joining Wales as an assistant coach after the World Cup, being part of Wayne Pivac’s team, with Pivac succeeding head coach Warren Gatland following the tournament. Davies added: “Having played with Steve, what he carried over to the coaching side was the energy he always had as a player.
“On the training field he always has that bounce about him, he always demands high standards and tactically he wants the boys to play what’s in front of them and make sure we make the right decisions. A new pair of eyes is an opportunity for us to grow as a group, develop and see where we can take it. There will be a lot of excitement and Steve will give it his best shot, I can guarantee that.”
Wales' Rob Howley faces joining a sportsman's club he would never have wanted to join after being sent home from the Rugby World Cup https://t.co/9WSbph3Uhi
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 17, 2019
And Biggar said: “The Scarlets boys, in particular, speak incredibly highly of Steve. It is going to be interesting to see what he gets out of us. For Monday night (against Georgia) a lot of the framework has been done already and we will stick to what we have planned for that.
“I’m sure the longer he is in camp and the more comfortable he gets with everyone he will bring his own ideas. As Warren said, it’s extremely disappointing for Rob, but hearing from a lot of the Scarlets lads in particular how good Steve is – and in my position in particular – there are probably few better to learn from.”
– Press Association
WATCH: Neil Back recalls England 2003 triumph in the first episode of the new RugbyPass series, Rugby World Cup Memories
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments