Before the Top 14 final between Toulouse and UBB, Friday evening in Marseille, the Antoine Dupont case is causing debate.
“Is Antoine Dupont the best player in the history of world rugby? » The newspaper The Parisian The question is seriously being asked before the Top 14 final between Stade Toulousain and Union Bordeaux Bègles, which will take place this Friday evening at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Several experts are thus interviewed by the daily, such as Yann Delaigue, former French international fly-half and now consultant for the France Télévisions group.
“He sets the bar at such a level that I don’t see who in history could be compared to him.”says the former number 10 of the French XV, while Pierre Berbizier, coach of the Blues between 1991 and 1995, is a little more measured: “Let’s let him finish his career before we try to classify him. » At 27, the Red and Black captain’s track record is already impressive, but is it enough to make him the “GOAT” of rugby?
Eddie Jones belittles Antoine Dupont
Eddie Jones has a strong opinion on the matter. For him, Antoine Dupont is not even among the three best players currently. In an interview with Rugby Passthe Japan coach believes that Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa), Ardie Savea and Richi Mo’unga (New Zealand) are a step above the French scrum-half. Contacted by The teamthe Australian technician persists and signs.
“When I was asked to make this ranking, I answered immediately and I took out the first three players who stand out in my mind: Ardie Savea, Richie Mo’unga and Cheslin Kolbe (who all play in Japan, where I am based now, and who I see often, much more than Antoine Dupont) but I could have put Antoine on this podium because he is obviously of that caliber”he justifies himself.
“I don’t think he can be number one”
“However, over the season that has just passed, I do not believe that he can be number one.adds the former England coach. There is one element that I think we cannot ignore, and that is the disappointment of the World Cup for the French team. I think that in 2022, the year of France’s Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament, I said that Dupont was the best in the world at that time.
In a World Cup year like 2023, Eddie Jones considers that “the best player in the world must at least be one of the finalists”. Which does not detract from the talent of Antoine Dupont. “He has the whole range, in attack, in defense; he influences his team and he is one of those who are capable of turning the tide of a match with a flash of genius, with a single actionhe said. He knows how to adapt and learn more, his time in rugby 7s proves it.
