Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Why 'it was scary' for Antoine Dupont to play sevens again after 10 years

Antoine Dupont #25 of France warms up before their match against Australia during day two of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Vancouver at BC Place on February 24, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. France won 31-5. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

SVNS Series debutant Antoine Dupont has explained why “it was scary” to make the switch from 15s to sevens in a bid to be part of France’s squad for the upcoming Paris Olympics in July.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dupont is widely considered to be one of the top rugby players on the planet, with some going as far as to suggest that the Frenchman is the best there is.

But after it was revealed in November that the former World Rugby 15s Player of the Year would switch to rugby’s other format, Dupont described the move as a “little bit scary.”

Video Spacer

France 7s captain Paulin Riva on Antoine Dupont joining the 7s squad

Video Spacer

France 7s captain Paulin Riva on Antoine Dupont joining the 7s squad

In an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live in December, Dupont said: “I will have a very busy year, but I love that and I am excited. It’s very exciting but a little bit scary.”

But Dupont, who captained France at last year’s Rugby World Cup on home soil, hasn’t exactly looked out of place after debuting on the SVNS Series on Day One in Vancouver.

Wearing the No. 25 jersey, Dupont came off the pine during France’s 24-12 win over the United States and again started on the bench later on Friday against Samoa.

Dupont took another step forward with a try-scoring start against Australia on Saturday. But the 27-year-old insists he still has plenty to “learn” about the fast-paced world of sevens.

ADVERTISEMENT

“You just have to watch the guys on the pitch to understand why it was scary,” Dupont told RugbyPass on Day Two at SVNS Vancouver.

“There are very fast guys and they’ve known this game for a very long time. I’m new on the Series so I have to learn.

“I have to do my best from the first game until the last.”

Related

Dupont wouldn’t have played anything more than eight minutes on the opening day at SVNS Vancouver, but the Frenchmen showed enough to pique the interest of fans worldwide.

ADVERTISEMENT

With a reputation for attacking flair and rugby genius, it was only a matter of time until he had his moment. That chance came during a big win over Australia in pool play.

Dupont started ahead of Series regular Stephen Parez-Edo Martin and made the most of the opportunity by scoring his first try on the SVNS Series.

From a scrum, Dupont gathered the ball before dancing around defender Matt Gonzalez, and the SVNS recruit had the pace to burn as the playmaker ran in untouched for the score.

“All the action on the field makes me more confident,” Dupont said.

“I have to spend time on the field, spend time with the guys to know them better.

“I have to learn every minute when I am on the field.”

There have been a lot of genuinely gifted rugby players who have graced the sevens field. New Zealanders Sonny Bill Williams and Ardie Savea, Australia’s Quade Cooper and South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe and Bryan Habana are among a short list of names.

But Dupont is the latest to make the headline-grabbing switch – at least for now with former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper committing to Australia’s sevens program before the Games.

As Dupont revealed to RugbyPass, it’s his first time playing rugby’s shorter format in a decade.

“I played a lot when I was 16, 17 years old,” Dupont explained.

“After I became pro it was more difficult to play sevens so I just watched the game on TV and I watched a lot of players who are here now.

“It’s a pleasure to play against them.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ “He’s given Connacht everything” – Bundee Aki’s future, and an exciting tactical innovation “He’s given Connacht everything” – Bundee Aki’s future, and an exciting tactical innovation
Search