Antoine Dupont and the French sevens rugby team came close to the feat against New Zealand in the semi-final of the Vancouver tournament, but they will have to be content to play the match for the bronze medal after their defeat 28-26 Sunday February 25.
The players of the French team, on the other hand, achieved the feat of eliminating the best nation in the world, Australia, 21-19 and will face New Zealand at 4:43 p.m. (1:43 a.m. French time, tonight) to try to win the first stage of the world circuit in their history.
For the first time in the final four this season, coach Jérôme Daret's men produced a first-class performance, without however managing to bring down the "All Blacks Sevens".
Small final against the United States
Antoine Dupont, the world star of rugby union who recently arrived at VII to compete in the Paris Olympic Games, remained on the substitutes' bench during the first act of the semi-final. Trailing, the French remained in contact thanks to two tries from Jefferson-Lee Joseph and Jordan Sepho (14-12).
The second act resembles the previous one, and a try from Rokolisoa allowed the “All Blacks Sevens” to take the lead (21-12) before Jérôme Daret brought Antoine Dupont into play.
Falling just two points behind their opponents, the French will still have for the first time this season the opportunity to win a bronze medal against the United States at 4:10 p.m. (1:10 a.m. French time, tonight).
