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'Lost his head': Welsh fans were fuming at Dan Biggar's late game decision
Wales’ captain Dan Biggar will be remembered as the hero in his 100th test for battling a leg injury to stay on the pitch for as long as possible, leading his side to a much-needed victory against Scotland.
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He ranked the win as one of his finest in a Welsh shirt after kicking four penalties and a drop goal after struggling with a knee problem for most of the match.
“This is one of the best victories I have had in a Welsh shirt,” Biggar said.
“We didn’t get it right last week, and when you don’t get it right – certainly in this country – you take a fair bit of flak for it.
“For me, (it is) a brilliant day. The family are here, my little boy was able to come out on the pitch afterwards. It doesn’t get a huge amount better than that.”
Dan Biggar was immense today. Reminded me of AWJ vs. Ireland in 2019. Injured early but real “I’m not leaving this pitch until we’ve won” vibes. Result meant way more than the performance but something to build on. #WALvSCO
— Nye Williams (@williams_ajc) February 12, 2022
His 69th minute drop goal ended up as the difference between the two sides as Scotland failed to respond and the scoreline remained 20-17 for the remainder of the match.
However, Biggar’s decision was vilified at the time by Welsh fans who thought that he had cost them the match with a strategic error. Scotland were down to 14-men and Wales had a penalty advantage, meaning a free play was on offer.
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A chance to score seven could have been used with the knowledge a penalty shot at goal could have been taken. The drop goal was described as ‘shocking’, ‘crazy’, ‘odd’ and ‘the worst rugby decision ever seen’ as fans struggled to comprehend what he had done.
Odd decision. But he's got the shirt on, I haven't. So I reckon Biggar knows more than I do.
Also it's his hundredth cap and he'll do what he likes. ?— *Samalamadingdong* (@sammie_moo84) February 12, 2022
Crazy decision by Dan as he had the potential of 7… but I’m not making the decision he is… I wouldn’t fancy being on the pitch with all of them.
— Alison Collins (@AlColKoel) February 12, 2022
Stupid decision to take drop goal, penalty advantage and 7 points begging to be taken.
— Lloyd Wiggins (@LloydWiggins2) February 12, 2022
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It was a penalty advantage, what the heck is Biggar doing. Have a free go out wide ffs.
— Eurig Jones (@eurigj888) February 12, 2022
Worst rugby decision I've ever seen from Biggar.
Pen advantage, a man up and he drops a goal.
Lost his head.#WALvSCO #CymvAlb
— ^|=x (@dhubbj) February 12, 2022
Big call but I’m going to say Biggar May have just lost the game with that drop kick #WALvSCO
— Ronald (@KingRonaldIV) February 12, 2022
Awful decision from biggar. Go for try and yellow card ahahah #WALvSCO
— Jack Martin (@JackMartin2100) February 12, 2022
Scotland down to 14, penalty advantage.. Dan biggar drop goal, strange decision🤷🏻♂️ #WALvSCO
— Darren Braithwaite (@dazb1987) February 12, 2022
Why has Biggar just done that #WALvSCO
— Ryan🏴 (@ryanxab) February 12, 2022
However, points on the board are all that matters and the match played out in Biggar’s favour as the three points was the last scoring act of the game from either side.
The backlash was the ultimate prisoner-of-the-moment reaction from fans who failed to realise that a lead is still a lead and perhaps a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.
Similar critcisms were aimed at James Ryan and his Irish side for not attempting to go for a try when down by six points late in their loss in Paris. Ireland took the three to close the gap to 27-24 but couldn’t then find another blow in the final eight minutes.
The result didn’t end up in Ireland’s favour so the decision for three has come under the microscope.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI 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.
5 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… 😉😂
5 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.
26 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.
26 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 comments