Antoine Dupont is “the best number 9 in the world”. The observation, not so difficult to make given the incredible performances of the Paris Olympic gold medalist in rugby sevens, is in any case shared by one of his rivals for his position in the Top 14, the Uruguayan Santiago Arata . The Castres scrum half, interviewed by the FRUK Rugby YouTube channel, did not hide his admiration for the man who was elected, unsurprisingly, best player in the French Championship last season.
“He’s the best number 9 in the world. I don’t say that because everyone says it, but because I played against him. He’s an incredible player, he says in English in the text. Every time I play against him, it’s an opportunity to show that I know how to defend well. It’s one of the best challenges in the world of rugby. Every time I play against him or watch him play, I learn something different. »
“He plays like a 10 in the number 9 position”
Strong point of the Stade Toulouse star: his ability to see everything all the time before others. “He plays like a number 10 but in the number 9 position. He sees things that scrum-halves don’t normally see. Normally, a number 9 focuses on the ruck. He sees everything,” enthuses Santiago Arata. To the point of daring a comparison with a certain seven-time Argentine Ballon d’Or winner: “He’s like Messi. »
All that remains is to see him again in the Top 14 after his return to training with Stade Toulouse. Antoine Dupont also missed his reunion with Santiago Arata this Saturday during his team’s defeat against Castres (28-23). Return match scheduled for April 26 at Ernest-Wallon this time.
