Fly-half Biggar speaks on the eve of match against Argentina

Comments from Wales fly-half Dan Biggar on Friday ahead of their quarter-final against Argentina at the Stade de Marseille on Saturday.

Dan Biggar, fly-half

On what excites him about Rugby World Cup quarter-final weeks:

"The first thing is the prize at the end of it. We have spoken all week about we’re not quite ready to go home yet. It’s funny how time changes as probably three, four or five months ago if somebody had said that we were going to win our pool and be in a really strong position to make a semi-final then people would have thought you were talking absolute madness.

"It just shows how much confidence and belief we have had in the group as the weeks have gone by and the more time we have spent together. This is the reason why you play rugby: big occasions, quarter-final of a World Cup.

"It has just been a real special week. It’s been brilliant being based where we have been. We’re all glad that we’re on this side of the draw for a few reasons, but also because we get to play in this magnificent stadium and sample something a bit different.

"The prize at the end of it is why we play rugby as we want to be involved in weeks like this."

On having thought this could be last game for Wales having announced retirement after RWC:

"Not really. For us it’s not been any different. We’ve almost been playing knock-out rugby since our first pool match against Fiji. 

"If we didn’t get the job done in that game we’d have faced a real uphill battle. Then Australia was a do or die. It’s like we’ve already had a couple of knock-out matches along the way.

"I’m not thinking about anything, but I don’t want this to be my last day as a rugby player for Wales. I want it to be another two weeks. Hopefully that’ll be the case.”

On if this being last Rugby World Cup a motivation for a few Wales players:

"There’s probably a little bit of both. There’s probably extra motivation, an extra little bit of pressure, but the few of us who are in that boat have tried to enjoy the tournament for what it’s been rather than putting too much pressure on ourselves.

"We’re taking it day by day, week by week, just enjoying ourselves in each place. It’s been an unbelievable World Cup, the stadiums, the people, it’s been incredible.

"For us that are definitely finishing, it’s not an if, there is a little bit of extra pressure but its also a huge motivation. I definitely don’t want my last day as a Welsh rugby player to be losing a quarter-final, absolutely not.

"We’ve worked as hard as we possibly can all week, put in extra little bits on the lap top, on the pitch, not so much in the gym for myself. But trying to do as much as I can for this team and for individuals to make sure we go out on a high.”

On influence of Wales fans in Marseille on game:

"It’s been quite strange as we’ve almost been in a bit of a bubble out here, in our own little world, and we’ve noticed that as the weeks have gone on the support from back home and the belief has just grown and grown. 

"For us it’s absolutely huge. We’re hoping to have a load of Welsh fans in here tomorrow. Loads of family and friends are coming. I’ve got 13 people staying in my house in Toulon. We’ve got a fair few people there. It just shows the interest and what happens when you do well in this Wales team.

"The interest grows and I hope it will be a huge help to us on Saturday."

On his fitness:

“I’m okay. Just managed to get myself back this week. Bit unexpected to be sat on bench last week [against Georgia] watching Costy [Sam Costelow] bring the team home really well.

“I’m all good to go for tomorrow.”

On if he thought his World Cup was over after suffering injury against Australia:

“Initially I thought it was going to be really difficult but we managed to heal up okay. I’ve basically been with the physios pretty much every day for the last two to two and a half weeks getting myself back for this.

“This was one I didn’t want to miss. Just really lucky and grateful to be sat here preparing for a game tomorrow. 

“I had thought it would have been such a shame to have ended it in that way, but it’s not about myself or anybody else leaving the team tomorrow it’s about making sure we stay on as the belief and confidence we have got in the group now is really high.

“We know we are playing a very tough team who have probably got a bit more to come than what they’ve shown in the pool stages. We know they are going to be right up for this tomorrow and how difficult it’s going to be.

“We have to make sure we manage expectations. A lot of people in Wales probably think we just have to turn up tomorrow to get the job done and we’ve spoken all week about how that is the absolute opposite of what our mindset is. We know how difficult this game is going to be and we’ll probably have to play a lot better than what we did in the pool stage. 

“Hopefully we can deliver a really good performance and make this World Cup even more special than it has been.”

On his opinion of Argentina fly-half Santiago Carreras:

“Fabulous rugby player whether he is playing at 10 or 15. He can change the game in the space of one moment of brilliance.

“He is someone we have spoken about all week, trying from our point of view to put as much pressure on him as possible. But we know that a lot of times when he comes under pressure that there are moments of brilliance in him as well.

“We have picked out key individuals for Argentina, him being one of them. We need to make sure we’re alive for everything that we have spoken about, being really good at things that don’t require a lot of talent, be it kick-chase, putting pressure on nine and 10. 

“I am sure he is going to be a threat to us.”