Antoine Dupont can nearly do it all on the pitch which is why the All Blacks, and potential opposite Cam Roigard, must have a plan, writes Patrick McKendry.
He’s back. France captain and halfback Antoine Dupont, a man who took a year out from XVs to concentrate on sevens and duly won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, returned to Test rugby this morning with another standout performance in the win over Japan that will occupy the minds of the All Blacks this week.
How do the All Blacks combat one of the most influential players in the world, if not the best?
Pressure, obviously, something that Japan couldn’t provide consistently enough, plus potentially a key selection by head coach Scott Robertson in the form of Cam Roigard in the No.9 jersey.
Dupont provided two try assists in the 52-12 victory over a Japan side who were disappointing in the first half at the Stade de France – the halftime score was 31-0 - but at least provided elements of entertainment in the second.
If he wasn’t sending cross-kicks to his wings, he was giving behind-the-back passes around the ruck or holding Japan’s players off the ground to win a scrum.
Dupont was described as “a little bull” by the commentator during this morning’s broadcast – and he has the strength of a man far bigger – but it’s his vision and the confidence he has in his ability which truly sets him apart.
Roigard may be the perfect match for him as far as the All Blacks are concerned, and not only because Cortez Ratima struggled so much behind the breakdown during his 50 minutes against Ireland in Dublin yesterday.
France’s blitz defence coached by former England league international Shaun Edwards was truly impressive for three quarters of their win this morning but to line up and press forward with such regularity and intensity is taxing.
This was their first international of the northern autumn series, and they appeared a little gassed as the game reached its conclusion, with Japan taking advantage.
The smaller and more agile Ratima could help exploit that off the reserves bench on Sunday morning NZT, while the more robust and stronger Roigard battles it out with Dupont, who cannot be allowed to dictate terms like he generally does and certainly did this morning.
Roigard, back from a major knee operation which has kept him out of internationals this year until this tour, where he has fulfilled bench roles in London and Dublin, will be Robertson’s first-choice halfback when fully fit and after his dedicated rehabilitation and two strong impact roles, he suddenly appears to be just that.
A word, too, on the modern Test breakdown and the way it has been ruled by the officials this northern autumn.
Nic Berry, the Australian referee yesterday in Dublin, took an increasingly hard line as the home side attempted to slow the All Blacks’ ball and penalised them accordingly, something his countryman Angus Gardner did not do a week earlier at Twickenham. Indeed, Berry could have taken a harder line still and Gardner could have sinbinned Maro Itoje for his cyncism as the All Blacks (successfully) chased the game.
Opposing players grabbing at the ball when not being in a legal position to do so – all the while giving beseeching looks at the referee – is a trend that should be stamped out immediately. It won’t be by the time the All Blacks take the field next, of course, but they would do well to make their concerns known to Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli well in advance.
After the England victory, Robertson rewarded his men with a continuity of selection in Dublin that may not flow through to Paris.
Hooker Asafo Aumua almost certainly needs a respite after his big recent workloads, and he complained of a sore neck after his bruising defensive performance against Ireland, a Test which featured an abnormally large number of scrums.
With Codie Taylor potentially arriving back from his head injury just in time to start against France, his head-to-head with Les Bleus’ opposite Peato Mauvaka will be highly anticipated.
The situation may be more complicated for Beauden Barrett, who also may be available after failing an HIA at Twickenham.
It would seem cruel of Robertson to take the No.10 jersey off Damian McKenzie after his accurate and suitably restrained performance against Ireland and so it may be that Barrett finds himself on the bench – a development that would have seemed highly unlikely at the start of the tour.
Sam Cane’s head injury will likely open the door for Ardie Savea to move from No.8 to openside, Wallace Sititi from blindside to No.8, and Samipeni Finau from the bench to the No.6 jersey.
Robertson is likely to be reluctant to change anything else, which could make Ethan de Groot’s non-disclosed off-field indiscretion, which cost him any involvement in the last two Tests, very costly indeed.
The Southlander’s best hope for another run will likely come against Italy in Milan in the All Blacks’ 14th and final Test of the year.
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