Award-winner Biggar right up there with best in world
NEW Wales sports personality of the year Dan Biggar has been placed alongside Dan Carter as one of the best outside-halves in world rugby.
Points machine Biggar topped a public poll ahead of cyclist Geraint Thomas, boxer Lee Selby to pick up the BBC Wales award with Wales and Real Madrid football star Gareth Bale surprisingly failing to make the podium.
Biggar’s Ospreys’ half-back partner Brendon Leonard, who played alongside former world player of the year Carter for New Zealand, has no doubt about the quality of Warren Gatland’s Wales playmaker.
“I played a few Test matches alongside Carter and he was always a guy who seemed to have time on the ball and never be under pressure,” said the former Chiefs Super Rugby star.
“But from my short experience of playing with Biggar he’s up there (with the best tactical controllers). I watched him at the World Cup and he was one of the form No.10s.
“He’s got exceptional vision and his skill execution is very high as well – I don’t think I have seen him drop a ball or throw a bad pass.
“He gives me good voice and is a strong personality. He clearly knows what he wants and scream to give him the ball.
“Everyone trusts his calling. He knows what is needed at the right time for his team and I’m trying to fit into that.”
Leonard has partnered two World Cup winners in Carter and Stephen Donald, who was called into the All Blacks squad from a fishing holiday to supply the winning points during their victory over France in the 2011 final in Auckland.
And Leonard is likely to partner Biggar when the Ospreys face exciting French team Bordeaux-Begles at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium on Saturday evening in a vital clash in Europe’s Champions Cup.
Ospreys are top of Pool Two ahead of Exeter Chiefs and Cler- mont Auvergne but face a strong challenge from a Bordeaux side that includes Australia stars Adam Ashley-Cooper and Sekope Kepu.
Wales prop Paul James was delighted Biggar won the Welsh sports personality of the year award, saying: “He’s on fire!
“He’s a great guy to have around and is playing some top rugby at the moment. Sometimes you get tired in the forwards and need somebody shouting at you and it’s great to look up and have Dan shouting at you.
“It’s a big boost for Welsh rugby and the Ospreys to keep Dan in Wales with a new contract.”