‘A different world’: Aussie 7s not losing sleep before Antoine Dupont clash
Antoine Dupont probably only played about eight minutes in total across two games on Day One at SVNS Vancouver but the Frenchman certainly stole the show with those brief appearances.
Dupont, 27, was the only substitute on the opening day that the ground announcer addressed by name, which prompted a deafening cheer from the thousands in attendance.
The former World Rugby 15s Player of the Year is the player that every fan wants to see this weekend, but Dupont’s upcoming opponents “won’t lose any sleep” thinking about Saturday.
Australia, who were runners-up in both the Cape Town and Perth Cup finals, stand on the brink of elimination in Vancouver after two tough losses on Day One at BC Place Stadium.
The Aussies were swept off the park in a 31-7 drubbing by Samoa earlier on Friday, and a last-minute Perry Baker try saw USA sneak by with a thrilling 26-21 win in the evening.
SVNS Series veteran Henry Hutchison was asked about the threat that Dupont poses ahead of the upcoming must-win pool clash, but the Australian isn’t too focused on “the man.”
“Obviously we know Antoine’s here. He does fantastic things in the 15s game but it’s a different world the sevens world,” Hutchison told RugbyPass.
“We don’t focus on the man we focus on the team. He’s definitely improved their team but we’ll just tackle what’s coming at us.
“We’ll review them tonight and we’ll review them tomorrow morning and if he’s done anything super special we’ll probably make a note over it but we won’t lose any sleep thinking about it.”
France have been one of the form teams of SVNS Vancouver so far. Even with Dupont sitting on the sidelines for most of the time, Les Bleus Sevens have been frighteningly good.
After getting the better of the United States 24-12 in their first Pool B clash, France made it two-from-two with an emphatic 40-7 win over Samoa – the team that beat Australia.
“I’m expecting them to be red hot again,” Hutchison said.
“That’s our next job. We’re focusing on France and then wherever we fall after that will be what it’ll be.
“We’re expecting them to play as they’ve been playing. French flair’s alive this weekend.
“Tomorrow’s a new day and that’s the best thing about sevens, we probably get one more shot at it, one more roll of the dice and hopefully we get snake eyes and we go well.”
Australia are currently anchored to the bottom of Pool B with two wins from as many starts and a points difference of -29.
They’ll need to beat France, and by a fair margin, to put themselves in with a chance of progressing as one of the two best third-placed teams across the pools.
“Definitely a tough day at the office. That’s sevens, you can be at the top of the tournament last trip in Perth and now probably down near the bottom.
“I think today, we just didn’t turn up. Enthusiastic-wise we were a bit sloppy in the morning, we tried to rectify that against the USA today and thought we were reasonably good but we fell off at the very end.
“(Perry Baker has) been doing that for years. You think about how you can shut him down but he still managed to find a way.
“We were really disappointed but it’s a small step in our journey to Paris this year. We’ll learn from that, a few young boys will learn from their mistakes today and we’ll grow as a team.
“We’ll remember this feeling and we definitely don’t like it so we don’t want to be here again.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Karl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to comments