All Blacks defense coach Scott Hansen has made no secret of his admiration and that of his players for Antoine Dupont. Before the meeting between France and New Zealand, he affirms that his players will be “very motivated to play against the master.
The New Zealand players are “very motivated” with the prospect of facing the XV of France and its star scrum-half Antoine Dupont on Saturday at the Stade de France, Scott Hansen, All Blacks defense coach, said on Tuesday.
After winning Olympic gold in rugby sevens this summer, the French rugby star shone and made his teammates shine for his return to XV in Blue against Japan last Saturday, offering two assists to Jean-Baptiste Gros and Peato Mauvaka. Facing the All Blacks, he should have Cam Roigard (24 years old, 8 caps) or Cortez Ratima (23 years old, 10 caps) facing him in the scrum, two players with little experience at international level.
“They will be very motivated to play against the master”declared Scott Hansen affirming to take “an absolute pleasure” to see Dupont evolve on the field. “He loves the game, he plays with passion and he is a great leader”he continued. “For many he is one of the best in history”.
In France and abroad, the 27-year-old scrum half took on a new dimension after winning the sevens rugby tournament at the Paris Olympics. “We want to see the superstars play, they are the ones who make our sport grow, they who push young girls and boys to play rugby”added the All Blacks coach.
France
