Biggar’s aiming for promotion from No.3 at No.10
DAN BIGGAR insists it’s not in his nature to accept being third-choice outside-half on this Lions tour of New Zealand.
The Wales No.10 admits he is currently behind Owen Farrell and Johnny Sexton in the pecking order, having had less than a half of rugby on the trip so far.
But he is determined to apply the pressure on them now, having recovered from a head knock to start tomorrow’s clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin.
“Johnny and Owen deserve to be just a fraction ahead at the moment,” he said.
“That is me being brutally honest. But my nature is to not want that to happen, my nature is to close that gap and put some pressure on the two on them.
“That’s the chance I have on Tuesday night.
“It’s not nice to be probably the third choice at the moment. My personality isn’t happy with that and it’s my job to try and force the order a little.
“Owen and Johnny are world class players and it’s a tough ask for me to make up ground.
“It’s a massive challenge for myself, but I’m not looking at it in terms of that. It’s all about the team rather than individuals.
“My mindset is not going to be ‘I’ve got to do this, this and this to put pressure on Johnny and Owen.’
“It’s going to be about what I can do for the team and hopefully that comes off.
It’s up to me to make sure I’m doing the basics well enough and bringing the other guys into play outside me.”
So what’s the relationship like among the three fly-half rivals?
“We get on pretty well,” said Biggar. “We’re similar types of characters really. It’s good to pick up tips and get a different perspective from a different player on what they see.
“We’re picking each other’s brains and we have a fair amount of say on what goes into the play sheets.”
Biggar’s only outing on tour so far lasted just 35 minutes, as he was forced off after taking a bang against the Blues in Auckland.
“I was a bit frustrated to come off when we were going okay,” he admits.
“I’m absolutely fine. It was one of those where it wasn’t really anything, it was a glancing blow.
“The doctors made a real precautionary call. It’s better to be safe than sorry, but I was fine after the incident and wanted to carry on, quite forcibly, but the right decision was made.
“The day afterwards was complete rest and then some light stuff on the bike. Then non-contact running, then I trained a bit yesterday afternoon so everything’s gone smoothly – there are no issues whatsoever.”
Biggar says the challenge for the all-changed team selected to face the Highlanders is to pick up the baton from the side that beat the Crusaders in Christchurch.
“Alun Wyn made a really good point that we win and lose as a 41, not a 23,” said the Ospreys pivot.
“It’s down to us on Tuesday night to really step up to produce a performance and keep that momentum going.
“The boys who played on Saturday night did a great job in terms of getting us back on track. The aim for everyone on Tuesday is to put a bit more pressure on the coaches and it’s a lot easier to put pressure on them if you come out a winning team, rather than not.
“The pack fronted up on Saturday and the defensive shift the boys put in was top drawer.
“The defence made the Crusaders’ attack look almost average at times. We have to keep that standard, while looking to score tries.
“It’s going to be a good track, as the ball’s going to be dry, which is going to suit what we’re trying to do.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge. The boys built some momentum last night and it’s up to us to continue that and build for the coming weeks.
“A winning camp is a happy camp, so we’re trying to keep performance levels high.
“Effectively, the games we’re playing at the minute are like Test matches. It’s not really three Test matches on this tour, it’s probably nine or ten.
“But there’s no bigger challenge in rugby than the All Blacks so we’re trying to make small steps in the mean time and hopefully we’ll be full of confidence come the first Test.”
Biggar will be partnered at the Forsyth Barr Stadium by his Ospreys and Wales half-back partner Rhys Webb, which he says is a big help in terms of familiarity.
“It always helps, especially on a Lions tour, with people you may not have played a lot of rugby with, or no rugby with,” he said.
“To play with Rhys, who I have played with since age grade, is a big help.
“When you have a team that hasn’t played a lot together, it makes a difference when you have players in key positions who have played a lot of rugby and have the understanding. It does make things a fraction easier.
“It’s easier for me to shout at Rhys rather than Conor or Greig at the minute!”
Biggar is following in a long line of Welsh fly-halves to represent the Lions, so how much does living up to that heritage impact upon him?
“Not overly, if I’m being honest,” he said.
“I would much rather be born a second row in Wales sometimes!
“You have absolute greats like Phil Bennett, Neil Jenkins and Stephen Jones, all those people – but for me it’s about being Dan Biggar rather than trying to think what others have achieved. I want to put my own stamp on the jersey.
“That doesn’t really get me going, wanting to try and emulate players from the past however great they’ve been.
“It’s me trying to take little bits and pieces from what they’ve done and put my own stamp on the jersey.
“I’m trying to enjoy myself out here. It is a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity for some guys and it’s important to enjoy it rather than putting pressure on yourself so that’s the approach I’ve gone with.”