A rock star welcome.
For his debut with the French rugby sevens team, Antoine Dupont was expected and scrutinized by the entire oval planet.
The face, in black and white and with careful graphics, of the Stade Toulousain scrum half had been plastered on buildings in Vancouver, Canada, the first step in his preparation for the Paris Olympic Games.
And the first steps lived up to expectations.
Brilliant and noticed.
Narrowly beaten in the semi-final by New Zealand (26-28), France managed to win bronze in this Canadian stage by dominating the United States in the small final (42-12).
The main question was whether the best player in the world at XV in 2021 would adapt to the demands of this unique discipline, Olympic since only 2016. The answer was resounding: the Gersois started twice out of the six matches played this weekend and he scored three tries.
A start, coming off the bench, against the Americans (24-12) and the Samoans (40-7), before splashing his class against the Irish by scoring the winning try.
His return in the semi-final against the New Zealanders allowed the Blues to get back on track but, starting from afar, they were unable to make up for their deficit.
Before hitting hard in the small final: a try and two assists.
Read alsoRugby 7s: Antoine Dupont launches his Olympic adventure
Before this baptism of fire, the coach of the French septists, Jérôme Daret, was not worried:
“
A player like Antoine is already of very high standards.
He does a lot of work.
At the scrum half position, we are in high demand in terms of races.
»
Proof of his brilliant debut in this other discipline, Antoine Dupont was elected to the standard team of the competition.
Unavoidable.
Particularly sharp, Dupont nevertheless drew a parallel between these two rugbys.
“
It’s different from getting up with aches and telling yourself that we’re playing again.
And the more aches there are, the more important the matches
;
It’s a bit of the paradox of this sport ,
”
he confided.
Before diving into the deep end, the Toulouse native knew what he expected:
“
It remains the same sport, but the playing principles are different, as are the physical and athletic profiles.
So I'm in the learning phase at the moment.
»
Obviously, he learns very quickly.
“I don’t feel too legitimate to have an ovation”
Star of the oval planet, the French number 9 has been the center of all attention in Canada.
Regularly responding to the press (who came in large numbers) after his matches.
And even receiving an ovation when he first came into play.
“
I try not to pay too much attention to it,”
he smiled.
At the moment, I don't feel too legitimate to have an ovation here.
There are guys who have scored dozens of tries and who have played dozens and dozens of tournaments.
»
On the pitch, the Toulouse number 9 did not take long to find his feet.
And to blend into the “France 7” collective.
“
Honestly, he’s a hell of a player,”
recalled his teammate William Iraguha to Rugbypass.
He helps us in all areas of the game. He showed his qualities this weekend.
»
And added that the entire team was keen to get in tune with this player of extraordinary talent:
“
We wanted to show him that we had the level to play with him.
»
An emulation which allowed the Blues to shine.
Before thinking about the next stage of the world circuit, which will be held next weekend in Los Angeles (March 1-3).
While the retired captain of the Blues will try to shine in the City of Angels and Hollywood stars, the XV of France - in great pain with his understudy Maxime Lucu - is brooding.
After three failed outings in the Six Nations Tournament.
From a distance, Antoine Dupont witnessed the debacle of his XV teammates.
And he wanted to send a little message to his teammates, relayed by
Midi Olympique
.
“
I was very disappointed for them.
Once again, we have the impression that it doesn't want to do it, with this card
(from Jonathan Danty)
at half-time.
We don't score enough and then we fall back into the pitfalls of the last matches where we struggle to find ourselves collectively,
he regrets.
The players don't give up and I always support them 200
%.
I hope they will finish this tournament in the best possible way, with two great victories.
I know they can do it and I hope they do it.
»
Without him, things inevitably become much more complicated.
But, in his head, Antoine Dupont has only one objective:
“
The Olympics are the Holy Grail of sport.
Quite simply.
»