Antoine Zeghdar's career in rugby has been a whirlwind journey from the Top 14 as an outside back with Toulon and Castres to the pinnacle of Olympic gold with the French Sevens team.
Antoine Dupont gave a brief but meaningful assessment of France’s opening game 12-all draw with the USA on Wednesday.
Support for the French was abundant in the Far East decider but there was a franticness to their play in this sold-out decider compared to the precision that transpired last month when they won a first title in 19 in front of a limited Los Angeles audience where the atmosphere was far less intense.
New Zealand have claimed a famous double at the Hong Kong Sevens with both the women’s and men’s teams winning their respective deciders on Sunday night.
Five weeks ago in Los Angeles, the French narrowly won the last-four match 24-26. In Hong Kong, though, there was no tight finish as the Irish lost out 10-26, the second score coming from the defiant Kennedy with the game’s final play.
After enduring six final losses, France triumphantly secured their second trophy.
For the first time in 19 years, France have won a Cup final on the SVNS Series.
France captain Paulin Riva has described Antoine Dupont as “the best player in the world” after Day One at SVNS Vancouver.
Alex Dombrandt completed a hat-trick deep into stoppage time as Harlequins snatched a 36-33 Champions Cup victory over Castres at Twickenham Stoop.