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Watch: ‘Extraordinary’ Antoine Dupont scores stunning try in SVNS return

France's #25 Antoine Dupont scores a try despite the opposition of Great Britain's #24 Charlton Kerr during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens men's play-off match between France and Great Britain at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on June 1, 2024. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP) (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)

Antoine Dupont has returned to the SVNS Series in style with the Frenchman showing brute strength and a clean pair of heels to score a runaway try in a thrilling pool stage clash with Great Britain at Madrid’s Civitas Metropolitano.

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Dupont was named the Investec Player of the Year last week after leading Toulouse to Champions Cup glory by beating Irish juggernauts Leinster in the final and he’s continued to showcase his “extraordinary” abilities in Spain.

After debuting on the circuit in Vancouver and backing up one week later in Los Angeles earlier this year, Dupont had already proved himself a dangerous player on the SVNS Series. But Dupont’s latest rugby masterclass has once again left everyone in awe.

With France needing to beat Great Britain on Saturday evening to keep their hopes of taking out the Grand Final alive, Dupont was the difference. GB had just taken the lead when Dupont, who was wearing No. 25, made his way onto the field.

Thousands of fans let out a cheer when they noticed the former World Rugby 15s Player of the Year running onto the field – and it wouldn’t be the last time they’d be shouting out desperate cries of support for the man some consider to be the ‘GOAT’ of rugby union.

With one minute to play and France down by seven, Dupont got the ball near the right touchline and had sevens veteran Robbie Fergusson sizing him up in defence. While some might see that as low odds to score, Dupont backed himself all the way.

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Dupont ran down the sideline before brutally shoving Fergusson off and onto the ground. The crowd let out a deafening cheer as the Frenchman ran away for the decisive score, which allowed Rayan Rebbadj to kick Les Bleus Sevens into golden point.

“Antoine Dupont, I don’t believe it! It’s just extraordinary what this man can do on a rugby field,” commentator Rupert Cox said on the broadcast.

“He’s hardly played all weekend. He’s come on with France down to six players and he’s given them a chance to take it to golden point.”

France went on to win in golden point with Nelson Epee scoring the match-winner in the 17th minute. Some Great Britain defenders ran after the try scorer in a desperate bid to do something but the result wasn’t in doubt.

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Call it the ‘Antoine Dupont’ effect if you’d like but Les Bleus Sevens looked much better with the 15s superstar on the field. GB were going backwards in defence and it almost seemed inevitable that France would score the winner.

After the match, hundreds of fans crowded the tunnel as they shouted out ‘Dupont’ as loud as they could. Dupont signed some autographs, and spoke with a large pack of French journalists about the match, and then with this writer as well.

“I didn’t really think in the moment, I just saw that I didn’t have a lot of space so I tried to go straight, the defender was going back so I tried,” Dupont told RugbyPass & SVNS Series.

“It worked for the team so it was important.

“We didn’t have a lot of space, they controlled a lot. They were going back all the time but they defended very so well so we had to find an opportunity.”

Catch all of the SVNS Madrid action live and free on RugbyPass TV. To watch the Grand Final, register HERE.

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M
Mzilikazi 2 hours ago
Drought-busting win over Brumbies gives Waratahs platform to build on

“And then New South Wales joined the fun, beating the Brumbies for the first time in 14 matches”


Must be so much better to have games like this one to write articles on, Brett. Trend altering/shock/pure fluke et al type games. Suppose though if it is one’s own team losing maybe not so funny ! Nightmare for serious tippers too…which I’m not. Just on the tipping topic, I really miss those tipping articles from the dreaded “other site” from past years….yourself, Digger Cane, Harry, Geoff and Nobes.


You might gather from all the above waffle, I have not actually watched the game yet ! I just had a quick look at one of those 5 mins highlights pieces. In some ways, I find it good to read a good article such as yours, and then watch the game with more educated eyes.


One comment I would make is how valuable the players from the Rebels are proving for the franchises they have gone to…well for the most part. Trevor Leota, Daugunu, Canham are ones I have been impressed by. LSL only back but saw couple of moments of his power when he came off the bench in Dunedin. TT has beautiful soft hands, as in the Wilson try, and there were occasions last week when that was on view. But so much has been written on the rest of his game, and one hopes he does reach higher levels than he has over the past few seasons.

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