Olympics 2024, rugby sevens: Antoine Dupont and the Blues recover and go to the quarter through Uruguay reform

2024-07-24 18:34:28

It’s not pretty, but there’s something important there. Borrowed in the last gesture and forced to accept a draw (12-12) against the United States for access to the Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday afternoon, the French team gave pain by beating Uruguay (19) – 12) in the evening in front of the Stade de France is still warm for Antoine Dupont and partners. A win which sent them to the quarter-finals on Thursday evening, even before their final group match against the Fijians earlier in the afternoon.

In suffering against the two Olympic champions of the Pacific (40-12) for their first appearance in the capital, the Uruguayans were better against the Blues, taking the lead at the break on their only action of the first period by Ignacio Facciolo (5-7). , 7th+1). The answer to the opening score from Antoine Zeghdar, the author of a powerful racket to rush into the goal of the South American selection (5-0, 3rd).

First Olympic attempt for Antoine Dupont

A scene that is also sad for Jérôme Daret’s men, who were able to rely on the French rugby star to come back to the championship. Once again at a start, Antoine Dupont showed his ability by fixing two opponents to break away from the middle, scoring his first Olympic attempt and restarting the machine (12-7, 9th). An attempt from the Stade Toulouse scrum-half, was snuffed out by a forward defensive move and an equalizer from the Uruguayans in the process. (12-12, 10th).

But this time, the Blues escaped, with success from Jefferson Lee Joseph, completed the full length and converted by Jean-Pascal Barraque (19-12, 12th). A final scare, in stoppage time with the anger from Uruguay, in the top ranking after the yellow card from Stade Français player Andy Timo, and the French can breathe.

The Tricolores are not convinced, very far from the powers that appeared in Madrid to win the final of the world tour at the beginning of June. We will have to do much better against the Fijians on Wednesday (3:30 pm), to avoid a tough opponent in the quarter-finals, and especially in the evening. An important position for their Olympic gold hopes.