In front of a small audience (a few hundred people) at Dignity Health Sports Park (south of Los Angeles), the Blues struggled a little before imposing their power on Canada (24-7), in a tournament which allows them to prepare the Paris Olympic Games (July 26 - August 11).
A new attraction in rugby sevens, Antoine Dupont, emblematic captain of the French XV, was started for this first group match, and even scored a try at the very end of the match, beating two defenders in the race after being well served in the middle of the field.
The French, off to a good start after their 3rd place in Vancouver, had already taken off thanks to attempts by William Iraguha (5th, 7th) and Stephen Parez (11th).
“The fact that he (Dupont) is there pushes us to give the best
,” commented Iraguha.
At his level, he already showed us last weekend what he could do, so much the better if we can all pull ourselves up like that.”
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For their part, the French, finalists of the tournament in Vancouver (Canada) last week, upheld their status with a large 35-7 success against Japan.
The tournament continues on Saturday with the rest of the group stages and the men's quarter-finals, before ending on Sunday.