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David Rogers / Getty Images
Kiwi coach Chris Boyd, Northampton’s director of rugby, says the Saints’ first home win in 2020 ‘takes the monkey off our backs’. (File photo).
Northampton British and Irish Lions star Dan Biggar dedicated a rare win to New Zealand coach Chris Boyd as the Saints celebrated their first home win of 2020.
Biggar scored a try and kicked 12 points in a 29-10 win over the Worcester Warriors at Northampton’s Franklins Gardens field on Saturday (Sunday New Zealand time).
Boyd, Northampton’s rugby manager since 2018, said BBC Northampton that the saints were “delighted to take that monkey off their back. It has been a sterile time for us here in the gardens. It has been difficult to play here without the place pumping. ”
Biggar said after Northampton’s much-needed victory: “This is for [Chris Boyd]I really do, ” congratulating the former Hurricanes coach for making sure Saints players never lost faith – or perspective – during their sterile career.
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David Rogers / Getty Images
Wales midfielder Dan Biggar, pictured playing Scotland in the Six Nations, scored 12 points in Northampton’s win over Worcester.
“The boss has come every day and he has been positive, he has kept things in black and white, there are no gray areas and he has kept things in perspective with what is happening in the world right now.
“He deserves a great deal of credit for the way he has kept [us going]. Other coaches I’ve been involved with have let things slip a bit, but he keeps a real energy in place.
“So this is an important one to him, really.”
Biggar said that before the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 crisis, Northampton had been “dusting off teams”, was second in the league and had qualified for the quarterfinals of the European Cup.
But since the season started again, “for some reason, we still can’t point it out, we haven’t been able to return to the same team.
“Winning is a habit, but losing also becomes a habit.
“I am very happy for this young group, who deserve this victory, especially the forwards, they have faced exceptionally well.”
Biggar, who won the man of the match award, was sinned during the game, as was former Worcester Blues running back Melani Nanai.
Northampton led 17-7 at halftime after an Alex Mitchell try and a penalty try, while Biggar and Mikey Haywood crossed in the second period.
Worcester could only try with Billy Searle.
Luatua leads Bristol
Jordan Mansfield / Getty Images
Steven Luatua, in action for the Barbarians against the All Blacks in 2017, led Bristol to a victory over the Harlequins.
Former All Black backrower Steven Luatua scored a try and set up another to lead Bristol to a 27-19 win at Harlequins.
The Bristol Bears captain crashed from close range and then produced an explosive pass to send Niyi Adeolokun running to score.
Bristol scored four attempts to one, but their Kiwi coach Pat Lam was unimpressed with their effort in the first half and issued a stern warning during the break.
“It was a simple choice [at half-time] – Guys, if you want to keep playing as individuals, you can also get back on the bus and come back and spend Christmas, or if you want to play Bears way, make sure we start playing as a team because only 15 people, ” he said. The m. BBC Bristol.
“It was frustrating to watch, but I played fair for the guys, they were more like the Bears in the second half, and we came home strong.”
Leaders and champions Exeter Chiefs scored a 28-20 win over Gloucester, earning a fourth straight win in bonus points.
