‘Biggar is a born winner – just like legend Jordan’
FOOTBALL’S BACK ... BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT
DAN Biggar has the same unrelenting intensity and will to win as basketball legend Michael Jordan.
That’s the glowing tribute paid to the Wales outside-half by his Northampton Saints coach Chris Boyd.
Kiwi Boyd, who was in charge of the Beauden Barrett-fired Hurricanes team who were crowned Super Rugby champions in 2016, has worked with many of union’s top players and numerous All Blacks stars.
And he’s convinced his No. 10 governor possesses the same traits as sporting icon Jordan after watching The Last Dance.
The critically acclaimed documentary series charts the remarkable career of the Chicago Bulls superstar, who won six NBA titles and is widely recognised as basketball’s greatest player of all time.
Former New Zealand Under-20 boss Boyd, who was a contender to succeed Warren Gatland as Wales coach, has been a fascinated watcher and didn’t have any hesitation in comparing Biggar to Jordan.
“If you watch that documentary of Michael Jordan that’s going around, he was an incredibly hard taskmaster for the guys at Chicago Bulls when they decided they wanted to be the best in the NBA,” Boyd told The Rugby Paper.
Jordan once said: “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something but I can’t accept not trying.”
He was known for his will to win, unrelenting intensity, drive and pushing himself to the absolute limit to be the best in every match he played, and for dragging his teammates along with him.
“Michael led that and you will see exactly the same with Dan,” declared Boyd.
“Dan’s world-class. He’s as good as anyone I’ve ever coached. He’s a tough rooster!
“Whatever word you use, whether it’s grit, mental toughness or resilience, guys like Dan just do not go away.”
Biggar insists the move to Northampton has improved and sharpened his game as he makes his play to be the best of British and Irish rugby’s playmaker against the world champion Springboks.
“I don’t feel like I’m a 30-year-old guy who has been around the block a little bit, I still see myself as a youngish 20-year-old who is aspiring to get better week-in, week-out,” he declared.