All Blacks great Aaron Smith wades into Antoine Dupont GOAT debate

Since Antoine Dupont produced a second-half masterclass to secure France Sevens an Olympic gold medal at the Stade de France, social media has played host to one of the fiercest debates rugby has seen in recent years: is Dupont the greatest player of all time?

Fans and pundits have been busy laying their cases for why the Frenchman is or is not the GOAT, and now one of his former rivals has joined the debate.

Former All Black Aaron Smith has provided his take, saying the scrumhalf is “probably the greatest of this generation” on X.

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The 2015 World Cup winner had long been regarded as the premier No.9 in world rugby until Dupont usurped him, but Smith has described his former counterpart as “not just a halfback”.

Smith did not, however, conclusively say whether the 2021 World Rugby player of the year is the GOAT yet, but said that he is still young.

He’s still young… And when it’s all said and done, he will be one of the greatest to play our game. He’s already probably the greatest of this generation. He has changed rugby. He’s not just a halfback; he is pure class.

— Aaron Smith (@Te_Nug) July 31, 2024

“He’s still young…” the 124-cap All Black said. “And when it’s all said and done, he will be one of the greatest to play our game. He’s already probably the greatest of this generation. He has changed rugby. He’s not just a halfback; he is pure class.”

Smith, who is now plying his trade for Toyota Verblitz in Japan Rugby League One, brought his rivalry to a close with Dupont at the World Cup last year, with the All Blacks‘ pool stage loss to France likely to be his last encounter with the gold medallist.

This is not the first time that Smith has showered the Toulouse scrumhalf in praise either.

In February 2021, before Dupont had won a Grand Slam or player of the year, the former Highlander said that he was “on another level” and that “no one is near him”.

Three years later, few would have foreseen how much better the Olympian would get.

@Dupont9A this guy is on another level! No one is near him atm. He’s the point of difference for both his Club and country. He’s helping me look at parts of my game to improve #Respect #9Gang

— Aaron Smith (@Te_Nug) February 10, 2021