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One more title to crown an exceptional year. Four months after leading the Blues from rugby sevens to an Olympic gold medal, Antoine Dupont was named best sevens player of the year on Sunday 25 November, during the 2024 World Rugby Awards which also recognized South African Pieter-Steph du Toit, best XV player. Antoine Dupont had already won this latest accolade in 2021 for his performances with Stade Toulouse and the French XV. On Sunday night he became the first male player to be crowned player of the match at both XV and VII. A complete and accomplished rugby player.
The Toulouse native, who discovered rugby sevens ahead of the Games this year, was decisive during the Olympic tournament, scoring two tries in the final win against Fiji. However, he only played four out of nine tournaments all year, but those who doubted his adaptation quickly backed away. After a first tournament in which he was satisfied with the end of the matches in Vancouver in February, he continued demonstrating great skills in Los Angeles, where the French men’s team won its first tournament on the world circuit since 2005. His speed, his intelligence of the game and his devastating rackets then lit up the Madrid tournament, where the Blues won the world group after a decisive try by Dupont from 60 meters in the quarter-finals.
Championship-European Cup double with Stade Toulousain
Like all his teammates, he seemed enthralled by the challenge for the first time at the start of the Olympic tournament, at the Stade de France. Often benched at the start of the game, Dupont helped turn the games in the French’s favor. This was especially true during the final. For his first ball, on the kick-off, he skipped past the entire defense, even outpacing the supersonic Fijians, before feeding it to Aaron Grandidier at the last moment to avoid a returning defender.
The Olympic tournament and the first French gold medal at the Paris Olympics, the day after the opening ceremony, further increased Dupont’s popularity in France and around the world and chased away the disillusionment of the 2023 World Cup. That said, 2024 he was also prodigal in this latter discipline. His stay at VII, with a calendar agreed thanks to an agreement between the federation and his club, did not prevent Dupont from seeking the Championship-European Cup double with Stade Toulousain, where Dupont shone on every occasion in which he played.
France also wins the title of best coach and best attempt at the XV
However, he did not participate in the 2024 Six Nations Tournament, where his absence was felt in the match produced, although the Blues finished second behind Ireland. His failure to participate in the Tournament effectively prevents him from claiming the title of best player of the XV, which is only awarded in international matches. South African flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, one of the main protagonists of the Boks’ success in the Rugby Championship, won the trophy for the second time after 2019.
France won three more awards: best coach for Jérôme Daret, coach of the Blues at the Paris Games, as well as the XV tries of the year scored by winger Marine Ménager and scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec. England winger Ellie Kildunne was crowned the XV’s best player thanks to her 14 tries in 10 matches, underlining the overwhelming dominance of the ‘Red Roses’ in world rugby a year before the home World Cup. New Zealand third row Wallace Sititi and Ireland’s Erin King were crowned revelation of the year.
What were Antoine Dupont’s key achievements during the last rugby season?
Interview: Time.news Editor with Rugby Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have the pleasure of speaking with highly respected rugby expert, Jean-Claude Mortier. Jean-Claude, thank you for joining us today!
Jean-Claude: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to talk about rugby, especially with such exciting news coming from the World Rugby Awards.
Editor: Indeed! Antoine Dupont has been making headlines recently. Can you shed some light on his remarkable achievements this year?
Jean-Claude: Absolutely! Antoine Dupont had an extraordinary year, which culminated in being named best sevens player at the World Rugby Awards. He not only played a pivotal role in leading France to Olympic gold but also became the first male player to be awarded ‘player of the match’ in both XV and VII formats.
Editor: That’s a remarkable feat. Dupont’s transition from rugby XV to sevens is particularly notable. How did he manage to adapt so swiftly to the sevens format?
Jean-Claude: Dupont’s innate talent and rugby intelligence played crucial roles in his adaptation. Initially, some doubted his ability to transition, given that he had played primarily in the XV format. However, he quickly proved his doubters wrong. In tournaments in Vancouver and Los Angeles, we saw him excel, demonstrating speed, tactical awareness, and finishing skills that are essential for sevens rugby.
Editor: Speaking of those tournaments, can you elaborate on Dupont’s performance in the Olympic final against Fiji?
Jean-Claude: Certainly! In the Olympic final, Dupont was instrumental. He scored two crucial tries, showcasing his ability to not only outperform defenders but also elevate the entire team’s performance. His opening play was particularly noteworthy; he dodged through the Fijian defense on the kick-off, which set the tone for France’s historic victory.
Editor: And this gold medal seems to have resonated well beyond rugby. How has it impacted Dupont’s popularity in France and internationally?
Jean-Claude: The Olympic gold brought Dupont a new level of fame, propelling him into the spotlight both in France and around the world. This accolade, coming the day after the opening ceremony, made him an instant hero. It not only solidified his status as a top-tier player but also rekindled national pride in rugby as a sport in France.
Editor: It’s wonderful to see a sport garner such enthusiasm! Now, let’s talk about his club success with Stade Toulousain. How does Dupont’s performance at the club level compare to his international achievements this year?
Jean-Claude: That’s a great question. Dupont had an exceptional season with Stade Toulousain as well, contributing heavily to their Championship-European Cup double. His club performances have always been stellar, and they serve as a solid foundation for his international play. It’s rare to see a player excel at both club and international levels simultaneously, making his achievements truly exceptional.
Editor: With the Olympics and the Rugby World stage gaining so much attention, what does the future look like for Antoine Dupont and French rugby?
Jean-Claude: The future seems very bright! Dupont’s achievements could inspire a new generation of players in France. Rugby is becoming more popular, and with the success of players like Dupont, we can expect increased investment in youth programs. For Dupont himself, as long as he maintains his form and health, he has the potential to lead France in upcoming tournaments and solidify his legacy.
Editor: Fantastic insights, Jean-Claude! Thank you for joining us today and sharing your thoughts on Antoine Dupont and the exciting future of French rugby.
Jean-Claude: Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure discussing this fantastic sport!