Antoine Dupont has scored his first try on the HSBC SVNS Series with the Frenchman showing some outstanding pace and skill to slice through Australia’s defensive line in Vancouver.
Dupont, who captained France at last year’s Rugby World Cup on home soil, was injected into the SVNS Series off the bench during Les Bleus Sevens’ win over the United States on Friday.
The former World Rugby 15s Player of the Year was again called on to come off the pine in France’s second pool win over Samoa, but was handed a start on Day Two against the Aussies.
France 7s Captain Paulin Riva Dupont joining the 7s squad
Tries to Rayan Rebbadj and Aaron Grandidier Nkanang laid the platform for the 31-5 win but it was Dupont’s first SVNS Series try which stole the show at the Canadian venue.
From a scrum, the No. 25-wearing Dupont sized up defender Matt Gonzalez before beating the Australian with fast feet and a powerful fend.
Dupont split the gap in between Gonzalez and Hayden Sargeant as he ran away for a popular score amongst the thousands watching on at BC Place Stadium.
“All the action on the field makes me more confident,” Dupont told RugbyPass when asked about the try.
“I have to spend time on the field, spend time with the guys to know them better.
Dupont doing what Dupont does 🤩
It’s a first #HSBCSVNS try for @Dupont9A 🎉#HSBCSVNSVAN pic.twitter.com/cEHDywq6Ir
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) February 24, 2024
“I have to learn every minute when I am on the field.”
The win over Australia was France’s third in as many starts at the Vancouver stadium as the Frenchman booked their spot in the knockout rounds as the top side out of Pool B.
Following the wins over United States and Samoa on Friday, captain Paulin Riva described his new teammate Dupont as the world’s “best player.”
“Antoine is a very good player and very important for us to help him on the field,” captain Riva told this website on Friday.
“I think for the first day, it’s been a good day for us and for him, winning our first two games.
“We have a group of leaders and we want to help him. He’s the best player in the world so for me it’s an honour to play with these guys.”
