“No other scrum-half” in the world “cannot do what Antoine Dupont does”, said Guy Accoceberry, rugby consultant for franceinfo, Friday, December 10. The scrum half from Stade Toulousain and the XV de France was elected by Word rugby best player in the world 2021. At 25, he became the third French player to obtain this distinction after Fabien Galthié in 2002 and Thierry Dusautoir in 2011. According to Guy Accoceberry, it is a deserved reward in view of its “results” and his “physical capabilities”.
franceinfo: Are you surprised by this award?
Guy Accoceberry: It is a deserved reward compared to what he has been doing for several seasons, because he was champion of France, champion of Europe with Stade Toulousain. He led the French team well, which could almost have won the 6 Nations Tournament. He beat the Blacks again recently with the same France team. A full season in terms of results.
What does he have more than the others?
He is the only one able to play the rugby he practices. What he manages to do on a field with the number 9 behind his back is quite extraordinary. No other scrum-half at the international level, even at the national level, can do what Antoine does. He is the only one to see these physical capacities.
He is a very complete player, who has physical power and who is an outstanding defender who progresses enormously in the kicking game. I would almost say he’s revolutionizing the job.
Guy Accoceberryto franceinfo
It doesn’t look impressive when you see it from the stands or from the TV screen, but when you’re next it is a little bull anyway. He has a muscle fiber which is exceptional. He has an exceptional start.
Are we not asking too much of him, especially by giving him the captaincy of the Blues?
For me it is a risk. He plays so much on his natural qualities that he has to be left a bit like a free electron. Afterwards, it will also make him mature to be a captain. If Fabien Galthié chose him as captain, it is because he knows that it can help him to overcome levels because there are still levels to be crossed. I think it’s putting extra pressure on him because that means there are meetings with the press, you have to talk more to your teammates. It’s a role that I think is not in his core character so he’s going to have to force himself to do all of this. But hey, that will make him mature and that will make him grow. And above all, he must be in great shape for 2023, for the World Cup.