The sight of Antoine Dupont swapping shirts with Lionel Messi during his US holiday last week helped reignite the GOAT’s claims and frustrations with the French captain and national hero.
For the uninitiated, that acronym stands for Best of All Time. A tag that has been applied to Dupont in several quarters but strongly ignored in many others. The debate continues, this time made even worse by the confirmation that a number of leading lights, including the French Federation’s (FFR) iconic No 9, will be unavailable for next summer’s tour of New Zealand.
Naturally, New Zealanders are angry, and who can blame them? It would be difficult to market a Test series if the prominent attraction was lying on a beach far away. And there are implications for Dupont as well. If he was left out of such a big event, could he become the GOAT? Or does it justify the claim that he is already at that high level (he is not yet)?
Dissenting voices from south of the equator are adamant that he is being over-promoted as the best man since sliced ​​bread. They point to his lack of glorious achievements outside his home country, given that a Grand Slam and seven Olympic titles were all secured in Paris. They suggest he grows up in a comfortable area, alluding to the rugby equivalent of the classic question of ‘Can a football grandmaster make it on a rainy Tuesday night in Stoke?’
In all seriousness, his Sevens success has proven to a global audience that the Frenchman is an uncanny talent, having won numerous trophies and numerous individual awards, including being named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2021. But the best ever? sorry. Not yet.
France talisman Antoine Dupont looks set to miss France’s tour of New Zealand next summer
The 27-year-old continued his impressive legacy by winning Olympic gold this summer.
However, Dupont has yet to accomplish enough in his career to be considered the greatest player of all time.
Of course, there must be strict standards regarding medals, award records, longevity, etc. As of this column, Richie McCaw is still the GOAT. He captained New Zealand to two consecutive World Cup titles. One is dealing with suffocating pressure from the hosts after previous failed campaigns, while the injured Dan Carter does not share the burden.
Not only that, but his All Blacks were the ‘winningest’ team. During their prime from 2011 to 2015, they only lost three times. Under Steve Hansen, this record reached sporting nirvana and its supreme openness had an ultimate impact on the final team. He has been named World Player of the Year three times and been a finalist five times. An unrivaled record.
While Martin Johnson remains the Northern Hemisphere frontrunner in this global pantheon, Sergio Parisse deserves a different kind of fame after years of outstanding performances for a losing Italian side. Props are routinely ignored when handing out baubles, but what about Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, a cherished idol and the epitome of the Springbok, who went on to score back-to-back wins over the Lions and win the World Cup a decade later? ?
But DuPont exists in a different category. genius. The King of Toulouse has a superhuman radiance. He is not just a champion, he is also an entertainer. Strong, fast, tough, and a dazzling big stage performer and trailblazer. He is now unrivaled in that sense. McCaw wasn’t that type of player and neither was Johnson. Their talent was winning games, not selling tickets.
The Gallic maestro carries the torch of pro-era geniuses such as Christian Cullen, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Brian O’Driscoll, Jason Robinson and Juan Martin Hernández. All of these can put bums on the edge of their seats and act as box office attractions in their own right. Jonah Lomu was that as best he could, but in a different way, almost a distinct species of titan causing destruction.
The good thing about GOAT is that you can’t get caught up in politics. It is a must see and celebrate. If Dupont is to be that man – and he still may be – all involved will need to ensure he attends the biggest events without being encumbered by club-country deals that do not have the greater good in mind.
Richie McGraw deserves that nickname for his achievements at the international level.
But Dupont’s superstar status makes him unique in a sport that looks for marketable athletes.
It would be a failure of sport if a man hailed as the greatest of all time is not continually given a global platform to prove it beyond a doubt.
I’m 27 years old, so I still have a lot of time. Let him seize the opportunity and promote the sport in a time when it desperately needs heroes and superstars. I suffer from tall poppy syndrome, which is all too common in rugby. Put him on a billboard and talk about the controversy.
Is he a goat? Buy a ticket and see him up close. Or at least admire the fact that he is, without a doubt, a genius. A person who has not yet reached his prime. Dupont will be visible and welcomed far from home when it launches in New Zealand next summer. If he dominates the All Blacks in his own backyard, dissenting voices will soon be silenced.
Rozovsky returns to England after 6 years
Alex Lozowski is set to return to the England squad from training camp this week as a fitting reward for following his heart and not giving up hope. It’s been six years since the Saracens center last won a Test cap, but he has refused to follow the trend of taking the path of least resistance.
When Italy approached him about switching allegiance to qualify for the Azzurri in 2022, Lozowski declined, believing he could still wear the red rose again. His willingness to keep trying when he thought his opportunity had passed is a great example.
Alex Lozowksi’s resilience has been rewarded as he looks set to return to the England squad.
It would be fitting if he were selected for the autumn series at Twickenham, fully justifying his commitment to England. In this era where there are many athletes who display the flag of convenience, here is someone who had a dream and did not give up. He didn’t want to represent one country, he wanted to represent his country. Good luck to him.
Doncaster’s win over Ealing was a statement of intent.
One notable result from the weekend was Doncaster’s dramatic 36-35 win over Championship rivals Ealing Trailfinders in west London. It was an embarrassing statement from the Yorkshire visitors as Ealing are title holders and favorites to gain promotion to the Premiership at the end of this season.
They are already well on the bubble as they have upward ambitions, as do Coventry, who are top of the second division with 3 wins and 3 losses. In theory, any of these three clubs could hope to topple the elite. Please, please, please, let’s not run a fake campaign.
I hope that whoever finishes top of the Championship can compete with whoever finishes bottom of the Premiership. Must meet minimum criteria for promotion.
It will create just the right amount of tension and interest. This will be a huge boost to the UK domestic game. Meanwhile, it’s good that Chinnor is in that situation. So far, they are in second place in the championship following 3 wins and 2 losses. Nick Easter continues to do amazing things for Oxfordshire.
Marcus Smith could shine as a full-back for England
Marcus Smith scored a try last Friday night showing the threat he can pose in a freer role at full-back. The Harlequins playmaker fooled Northampton’s defense with his footwork when he was released into the space of the 22 from an attacking lineout.
Smith made a wide arc but instead burst through the gap he had created and scored with a diving finish.
This was another demonstration of his incredible thinking and speed of movement and the threat he has of breaking games with the ball. England will line up with 10-pointer Marcus rather than Finn when they face the All Blacks on November 2, marking logical continuity after the summer tour. However, if George Ford is available as expected, don’t be surprised to see the Quins wizard reassigned to fullback later in that Test.
Marcus Smith’s versatility could make him a valuable asset for England against the All Blacks.
It was a clever strategy suggested by Kevin Sinfield and adopted by Steve Borthwick before last year’s World Cup, and what Smith has done with his roaming briefs in the East Midlands has shown that this can again be a productive option. .
Premier League clubs aim to recreate the atmosphere of the continent
A final word – Premier League clubs are putting in a valiant effort to generate passion on the pitch before and during matches. Northampton welcomed a full house for their clash with Quins and trialled a light show using an app downloaded to fans’ phones before kick-off.
It was innovative and had a significant impact. Bath have urged supporters to form a welcoming ‘tunnel’ for the home team’s arrival and they too have a strong and loyal following. But there are cultural obstacles to the British game. The crowd here is not as passionate as in France.
Toulouse’s welcoming committee for the team is a sight to behold, La Rochelle’s hordes are armed with flares and drums and pack their ground every time, Toulon’s pre-match ‘Pilou Pilou’ call makes a menacing noise, and Clermont’s The decibel level Auvergne is amazing when the place is full.
Elsewhere, the Red Army at home in Ulster and Munster are incredibly rowdy and, of course, Cardiff is a seething pit of hostility when the arch-enemy on the other side of the bridge is in town. Only one English club can participate in the Atmosphere Hierarchy. Gloucester. The Shed at Kingsholm is a Premiership hotbed of loud, raw tribal support so prevalent in the surrounding country.
