1
Dupont en stage avec France 7… pour un jour seulement
Antoine Dupont est convoqué pour participer à un stage de préparation du 02 au 05 janvier 2024 à Marcoussis (91) avec l’équipe de France de rugby à 7.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sauf que sur la courte semaine de quatre jours, il sera absent les trois-quarts du temps. Mais suffisamment pour faire des images pour la presse ? Dans le communiqué de presse publié avec la liste des joueurs convoqués, certes Antoine Dupont apparaît en deuxième position (par ordre alphabétique), mais « jusqu’au 3 janvier », est-il précisé.
Or, présent à l’entraînement du Stade Toulousain mardi 2 janvier dans l’après-midi, il a rejoint France 7 en fin de journée avant de repartir à Toulouse à peine 24h plus tard pour préparer la 12e journée du Top 14 – Toulouse reçoit Lyon samedi 6 janvier.
Pas sûr que ce peu d’entraînement sur une petite journée – un point presse est organisé le mercredi 3 janvier à la mi-journée – va beaucoup l’aider dans son adaptation à un jeu auquel il n’est pas habitué.
Ça fait 10 ans qu’il n’a plus joué au 7
Or, ce stage de Marcoussis est le premier entraînement officiel de la star quinziste, meilleur joueur du monde, membre essentiel du XV de France (27 ans, 52 sélections), pièce maîtresse du Stade Toulousain, en vue des Jeux olympiques de Paris 2024.
« La dernière fois [que j’ai joué au rugby à sept], c’était en moins de 18 ans, je crois, mais c’est le même sport et il y a beaucoup de choses similaires. Je vais devoir travailler beaucoup pour être compétitif dans toutes les compétitions », avait-il néanmoins concédé en décembre sur la BBC Radio 5 Live.
Désireux, après deux participations à sa deuxième Coupe du Monde de Rugby, de participer à l’aventure olympique, Antoine Dupont s’est très tôt positionné avec son club et la fédération français de rugby pour trouver un arrangement afin de lui permettre de jouer avec France 7.
Il participera ainsi aux tournois du circuit mondial en février (à Vancouver) et mars (Los Angeles) avant de revenir au Stade Toulousain pour la fin de la saison. Il switchera ensuite sur le programme de rugby à sept à temps pour les Jeux olympiques de juillet.
ADVERTISEMENT
« J’ai beaucoup d’appels avec l’entraîneur (Jérôme Daret, ndlr) pour essayer d’acquérir des skills, et je vais essayer d’apprendre en regardant le jeu », a-t-il assuré en décembre.
Sa place n’est pas assurée pour autant
Si Antoine Dupont est le bienvenu dans le groupe de préparation – 16 autres joueurs sont convoqués en même temps – cela ne le qualifie pas pour autant pour participer aux JO.
« Il sera là de manière régulière avec nous jusqu’à sa capacité ou non d’être à l’arrivée », avait prévenu le coach Jérôme Daret dans les colonnes de L’Equipe fin novembre.
« Il faut qu’il se sente bien dans l’équipe. On a besoin de travailler des choses avec lui mais je n’ai aucun doute sur son potentiel. Il faut que ça lui aille aussi. C’est le rugby à 7 qui vous sélectionne, et pas le sélectionneur. C’est comme l’océan. On a l’impression qu’il n’est pas dangereux alors que justement le danger peut arriver de partout. Le rugby à 7, ça pétille de partout. Il faut beaucoup d’humilité, comme le font Antoine et les autres joueurs. Le jeu vous rappelle tout le temps à l’ordre.
« L’équipe de France n’appartient à personne. Ce n’est pas forcément l’association des meilleurs joueurs qui fait la réussite. Ce qui compte, c’est la meilleure complémentarité des joueurs. Il faut passer du temps ensemble et de l’expérience collective. La notion d’équipe est primordiale. »
ADVERTISEMENT
Autant ce stage est important pour Antoine Dupont en prévision des JO de Paris 2024, autant pour les autres joueurs c’est surtout le tournoi de Perth prévu du 26 au 28 janvier qui est en ligne de mire dans cette semaine de préparation.
France 7 pointe à la 8e place du classement général après deux premières étapes décevantes – une élimination en poule à Dubaï (9e place) et une 8e place à Cape Town.
LE GROUPE DE PREPARATION DE FRANCE 7 :
- Esteban Capilla (Aviron Bayonnais) – 22 matchs
- Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain) – 0 match
- Nelson Epée (Stade Toulousain) – 53 matchs
- Théo Forner (USA Perpignan) – 45 matchs
- Aaron Granddidier Nkanang (CA Brive) – 80 matchs
- Nisié Huyard (FFR) – 81 matchs
- William Iraguha (FFR) – 132 matchs
- Jefferson Lee Joseph (SU Agen) – 45 matchs
- Jonathan Laugel (FFR) – 431 matchs
- Thibaud Mazzoleni (FFR) – 110 matchs
- Stephen Parez-Edo Martin (FFR) – 374 matchs
- Varian Pasquet (FFR) – 92 matchs
- Paulin Riva (FFR) – 234 matchs
- Jordan Sepho (FFR) – 94 matchs
- Joris Simon (FFR) – 33 matchs
- Joachim Trouabal (FFR) – 56 matchs
- Antoine Zeghdar (Castres Olympique) – 56 matchs
Comments on RugbyPass
Just what you want your prop doing 😂
1 Go to commentsEveryone needs to have a bit of ball player in them Nick and second phase but forwards and backs are still different coz of where you stick your head most of the time. Pocock and tizzano were 12s right up to the edge of seniors. Pocock was 12 to quades 10 then pocock was at the force At 17 year’s old or so. Hamish Stewart was apparently was a junior 7. Don’t know when he switched but apparently he was crons 10 in the Oz 20s. A mistake too often made is playing a guy like taquele nairavuro at wing instead of as a power 8. On rugby tours we often had a spare 7 playing crash 12 coz the regular 12 stayed home. Often had a spare 7 playing on a wing too.
2 Go to commentsyikes - what a load of crap Gallan. Interesting until after your 1st paragraph, but then again not worth anyone’s time responding to such pointless analysis and of course your dumbass opinions.
4 Go to commentsOutside of their national camp, club teams seem to take a tighter stance on doping. Think that explains it really.
4 Go to commentsThanks Nick Ive always thought that there should be a few more innovative attempts at players moving from backs to forwards and vice versa. Samu was one, as was Jim Williams last century. Cole certainly could run like a back, as can Lonergan from the Brumbies. I think that it’s going to become hard again for hookers though as front rowers seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and the guys have to look after their spines as well as (in Australia) their achilles! I always thought that Folau should have been tried in the lineout…. I think the same for Vunavalu…if he lasts any longer. Movement between positions is much more common in League, mainly because the size requirements between backs and forwards are not as pronounced. Hookers and halfbacks interchanging and second rowers and centres as well. The great Cameron Smith was effectively a hybrid hooker/halfback, being able to play both positions…sometimes it seemed simultaneously! For now, it seems like McReith and before him Hooper are the standouts, though Cale could be anything. John Eals did a few “back” type things mind you, including running and kicking. As for Jones, I don't credit him as anything (in an Australian context) other than a speaker of a million throw away lines, with the occasional one being picked up! Sorry
2 Go to commentsHe's Big in Japan
2 Go to comments“England are set to lose some of their best ever players at the end of the season with the mass departure to France”… Really? Best ever? What a joke of an opening line. The england players leaving for France are… Sinckler, Ludlum, Tuilagi… that’s the list of players England are losing at the end of this season to France. All 3 are fringe players at best these days. Manu is the only one you could fathom debating being one of “their best ever players” and even that debate would be shut down pretty quickly. Pathetic excuse for journalism this. Not grounded in reality.
1 Go to commentsYep. The insanity of the decision of trying to outspend RL for outside backs just looks more and more stupid as time goes on and talented players either bully us into paying overs to keep them (Jorgensen) or simply leave as Uncle Nick comes calling (Nawaqanitawase).
20 Go to commentsInteresting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
3 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
6 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
6 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
3 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
6 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
3 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
6 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
2 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to comments