The historic success in its scale of the XV of France against Namibia (96-0) in the World Cup, Thursday September 21 in Marseille, is overshadowed by the concern regarding captain Antoine Dupont, left at the start of the second period after a shock head to head with an opponent. The French scrum-half did not return to the field and went to hospital to undergo examinations.
“There is a suspicion of a crack or fracture in the maxilla” (jaw), explained coach Fabien Galthié after the match.
Antoine Dupont definitely has no luck with the Stade-Vélodrome. Last November, against the Springboks, he received a red card after being the author of a dangerous tackle on South African winger Cheslin Kolbe. An evening in Marseille of which he had “very mixed memories”, as he confided on Tuesday at a press conference.
Thursday evening, the Toulouse player, not on his best day against New Zealand at the opening of the tournament, first regained all his verve. Facing the modest Namibians, the number 9 of the Blues accumulated the assists, perfectly measured his kicking game and multiplied the slaloms in the opposing defense and the restarts which made his reputation, even offering himself a try before the break (38th ).
But, when the second period had just started, he was hit on the head by his “Welwitschias” counterpart Johan Deysel who, for his gesture, received a yellow card, transformed by the “bunker” into red.
“An unfortunate accident,” says Namibia coach
“At the moment there is an [Namibian] interception so not everyone sees exactly what is happening,” French third row Charles Ollivon explained after the match. “On the big screen, the images start to come through and we quickly understand. It was quite late, the head was hit (…) These are match events that unfortunately happen quite often, small or big injuries,” he added.
“It’s not intentional, it happened very quickly,” explained Namibia’s South African coach Allister Coetzee. Dupont is not very big. Johan is not a bad player, he is not used to taking cards, he is a very good defender (…) It was an unfortunate accident. »
“We know the importance he has in the group, what he exudes,” said the pillar of the Blues, Cyril Baille. “You all know the relationship I have with him, he’s like a brother. I’m waiting like everyone else, I tried to call him. But it sucks. When we see the images, it’s quite a violent shock,” he added, explaining that “the locker room was not celebrating” after the meeting, despite the great success of the evening.
“We’re all looking forward to hearing from Antoine, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it’s not too serious,” reacted Blues fullback Thomas Ramos.
Under the eyes of Romain Ntamack
The French captain came out under the eyes of his Toulouse teammate Romain Ntamack, present in the stands of the Vélodrome after suffering, during preparation, a ruptured cruciate ligament in his left knee which deprived him of the World Cup.
The withdrawal of Antoine Dupont, named best world player of the year 2021, would be a huge blow for the French XV who still have to face Italy in a group match on Friday, October 6, before possible quarterfinals. final.
“When someone gets injured, we are never happy,” stressed Fabien Galthié at a press conference, while two other French players came out injured. For Uini Atonio, “it’s the knee but nothing serious,” said the coach. As for Paul Boudehent, “it’s a concussion protocol that he didn’t pass so he didn’t come back,” but “it’s benign,” he reassured.