Antoine Dupont's Heroics Lead France to Sevens Semi-Finals
The French rugby sevens team had an impressive showing at the Sevens Series in Madrid, culminating in a pivotal match against Great Britain. Initially struggling with tries from McCann and Williams, the Blues managed to turn the tide in the second period thanks to the stellar performance of Antoine Dupont. Dupont's entry was a game-changer, enabling France to clinch a 17-12 victory and secure their spot in the semi-finals.
Dupont's impact was immediate and profound. In a moment of brilliance, he overpowered Fergusson with a powerful tackle, and sprinted several meters to score, equalizing the game at 12-12. The subsequent conversion by Rebbadj solidified the equal score. Dupont's influence didn't stop there; he also delivered the crucial pass for Nelson Epée's winning try in overtime, sealing the victory for France.
Reflecting on the game, Dupont commented, 'There was actually no hole. They defended well by controlling us. In this action, I didn't have much space, and my opponent was rather retreating. I tried to go hard, it worked, and so much the better.' Despite an earlier defeat by Argentina (14-5), France finished second and qualified for the semi-finals.
France's Journey Through the Madrid Tournament
France's journey through the Madrid tournament was filled with ups and downs. They had a spectacular start, overwhelming Australia with a 38-5 win. However, they faced a setback losing to Argentina (26-12). It was crucial to win against Great Britain to advance. The match started poorly for France, with McCann's try and French inaccuracies exacerbating their struggles. Jordan Sepho's last-minute try leveled the score to 5-5 at the break.
In the second half, Morgan Williams' try further challenged the Blues, but the entry of Dupont turned the game around. Dupont took matters into his hands, outmaneuvering Fergusson for a decisive try, taking the game into overtime. Exhausted yet determined, France resisted the British offense and accelerated with Dupont creating the winning play for Epée. The French team now looks forward to a semi-final matchup against the formidable Fijians.
- On the first day of the tournament, France's dominance was clear as they crushed Australia with an impressive scoreline of 38-7. Notably, Antoine Dupont was rested during this match, having recently been crowned European champion with Stade Toulousain. This strategic choice allowed Dupont to bring fresh energy to the subsequent matches.
- France's next challenge will be the semi-final against Fiji, a team renowned for its strength in rugby sevens. The Blues will need to maintain their strategic play and rely on their key players like Dupont and Epée to advance to the finals.
