Was Antoine Dupont the only reason France won the men's LA SVNS?
Nearly two decades since their 2005 title in Paris under Thierry Janescek, France clinched another major victory at the HSBS SVNS 2024 in Los Angeles, writes Jean-Baptiste Gobelet. After enduring six final losses, France triumphantly secured their second trophy.
However, attributing France’s victory solely to Antoine Dupont would undermine the collective effort of the French team over numerous years. Jerome Daret’s players showcased an exceptional performance throughout the tournament, with Andy Timo, Jordan Sepho and Antoine Zeghdar all shining brightly in crucial moments.
The stars on Hollywood Boulevard seemed to align perfectly for France at this edition of HSBC SVNS, as unexpected defeats knocked out favourites like Argentina and Fiji in the quarter-finals. This set the stage for an unprecedented all-European last four featuring Spain, Ireland, Great Britain and France.
Defence and offloads: the keys to France’s success
The French team’s victory was constructed upon an impressive defensive strategy, characterised by a dense and formidable seven-man wall that applied significant pressure on opposing counter-rucks. On the offensive front, France showcased their prowess with an exceptional offload game, leading the LA SVNS tournament in offloads.
For several seasons under Daret’s guidance, the French team has prioritised a stand-up style of play over a focus on the breakdown. Alongside Fiji, they stand out as one of the most dynamic teams, averaging fewer than one ruck per try.
The stars of Hollywood ? ? #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSLAX pic.twitter.com/tnXwWciboq
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) March 4, 2024
With the athletic prowess of their sevens squad, France boasts one of the top teams on the world series, featuring fast and highly physical players ideally suited for this style of rugby.
Adding the best player in the world to an already talented squad undoubtedly enhances its capabilities. Dupont’s influence has been significant in France’s pursuit of a new trophy. The absence of a thermal shock on the North American continent, similar to that experienced in winter in France, has had no adverse effect on the physical condition of the world’s top player.
Transitioning from rugby union to rugby sevens within a single season is a feat not easily accomplished, even for the stars of world rugby. Numerous attempts have been made, yet many have faltered in this endeavour. Notable examples are Sonny Bill Williams and Bryan Habana.
In contrast, Dupont has made a flawless start to the SVNS series, delivering a string of exceptional performances that have merited him a well-deserved spot in the LA dream team.
Dupont: Mental impact
Ever since the announcement of his participation in the North American legs, Dupont has been the focal point of discussions. His presence on the world series roadshow naturally has a profound impact on opposing teams.
Some players have been visibly affected mentally, resulting in abnormal technical fouls or defensive lapses during the game. Conversely, on the French side, Dupont’s presence has had the opposite effect, galvanising and strengthening their performance.
The mental aspect holds even greater significance in sevens, especially with knockout matches occurring at each tournament. It appears that the arrival of Dupont has absorbed much of the pressure surrounding the French team.
As a result, we have witnessed French players displaying greater resilience under pressure and, most importantly, exhibiting much more confidence in their decision-making.
Dupont’s mental influence was particularly evident on day two in LA. The pivotal moment of the tournament occurred during the quarter-final against the USA where France were trailing 6-7 with a player sent off. France maintained possession and effectively managed the clock.
Unlike other teams that struggled when short-handed in the quarter-finals (such as Argentina and Fiji), France remained composed and did not break down. Remarkably, they even controlled possession throughout the second half, denying the USA any opportunities to score.
The commentators on RugbyPass TV encapsulated the situation: whenever Dupont was on the field, France were never considered the underdog. This succinctly highlights the profound mental impact that Dupont has had on the French team, fostering a collective serenity that is uncommon during moments of weakness.
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— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) March 4, 2024
The numbers: 25 ball carries and six offloads
Dupont emerged as the most prominent ball carrier for France during the LA SVNS, consistently posing a threat, especially in the midfield, where he often drew the attention of two defenders.
His dynamic runs disrupted the opposition’s defensive structure, forcing them to adjust their defensive strategies. The intense focus on Dupont sometimes resulted in tight marking, with two or even three players converging on him, creating space for his teammates to exploit, as seen in Sepho’s try against Fiji.
Dupont’s influence continued to grow throughout the second North American tournament, as he played a decisive role in nine out of the 18 tries, including three remarkable solo efforts at crucial junctures. Undoubtedly, the world’s best XV player has successfully made his mark in the sevens arena.
- Click here to watch all the HSBC LOS ANGELES SVNS highlights on RugbyPass TV
Comments on RugbyPass
Let’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 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.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 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 commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to comments