Aurélien Canot, Media365, published on Thursday November 21, 2024 at 6:24 p.m.
Present in front of the press as captain of the Blues during the traditional match eve conference, this Thursday on D-1 of the match against Argentina, Antoine Dupont did not hide the fact that he strongly feared these Pumas. Which does not prevent the star of the French XV from hoping for a third victory to complete this autumn tour.
Like all his teammates, Antoine Dupont cannot imagine ending this fall tour with any other result than a new victory, Friday at the Stade de France against Argentina on the occasion of the third meeting of these Blues who had swept Japan before toppling the All Blacks. “Winning the three matches of a tour is always positive and foundational for the future, it gives confidence for the Tournament which will arrive quickly and, as we said, we play all the competitions and the matches to win them and to continue to maintain this dynamic that we have known for several weeks, it will obviously be important to win”, recognized this Thursday in the Saint-Denis auditorium the captain of the XV of France, who came to answer questions from the press at the day before this match against the Argentinians as the wants tradition.
Dupont: “Mallia? Regardless of his position, he is always very efficient”
And if many already see the French taking on the Pumas without trembling, the superstar scrum half of the Blues and Toulouse admits to greatly fearing this team in which one of his club partners Juan Cruz Mallia plays. “We know what he is capable of. Regardless of his position, he is always very efficient because beyond his physical qualities, he has Rugby qualities and a knowledge of the game which allow him to be good in all areas. situations”. Dupont is wary of Mallia, as he is wary of these Argentinians who once again proved during the last Rugby Championship that they had their say at the top of the rugby world. “It's a real threat that arrives tomorrow (Friday). We are aware of it (…) It's a team that is capable of achieving very strong performances, that puts a lot of intensity into its game and that has progressed on his offensive animation.”
Dupont: “Don't wait until the 15th or 20th minute to get into the match, otherwise…”
To the point for the one who has just been nominated for the title of best player in the world of the season in rugby at… 7s (“it's always nice to be nominated for this kind of reward”) to think that if the Blues experience a delay in starting on Friday, they risk paying dearly for it. “It’s up to us to be present and serious, and not to wait until the 15th or 20th minute to get into our match, otherwise it will be complicated.” Count on this summer's gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a constant competitor, to set his alarm on time. And to invite his teammates to do the same.
