Olympic Games: Inspired Antoine Dupont leads France to gold medal glory as Fiji’s remarkable reign ends

Colin Newboult 27 Jul 2024 7:42 PM

Antoine Dupont scoring a try in the 2024 Olympic final for France against Fiji.

Antoine Dupont showed why he is one of the game’s greatest ever as he scored two tries and also claimed an assist to help France to win Olympic gold with a 28-7 triumph over Fiji in the men’s sevens.

The encounter was finely poised at the interval, but Dupont came off the bench to inspire the team as they ended Fiji’s incredible run at the Games.

The Fijians had never lost a match at an Olympics but they ultimately succumbed to the brilliance of the France and Toulouse playmaker.

In a raucous atmosphere in Paris, the defending champions began superbly with Selestino Ravutaumada once again impressing.

Ravutaumada has been an absolute bulldozer in this event and his powerful surge gained the ground for Joseva Talacolo to go over.

That setback could have rocked the hosts but, instead of being cowed by the crowd, they were inspired and brilliant work from Andy Timo allowed Jefferson-Lee Joseph to touch down.

The teams were tied 7-7 at the break but France decided to bring on arguably the best rugby player in the world and that proved to be the difference.

Dupont has started on the bench in the majority of matches, but that tactic has paid dividends and it did so once again in the final.

Immediately from the restart, the 27-year-old got his hands on the ball, sprinted down the left-hand side, stepped past the defender and found Aaron Grandidier Nkanang to score.

That gave the hosts the lead and it was one they would not relinquish as Dupont continued to dominate. The brilliant playmaker crossed the whitewash twice, including one in the final minute as the French secured the gold medal.

After the disappointment of last year’s Rugby World Cup, where they lost in the quarter-finals to South Africa, this was the ideal tonic for both France and their main man.

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South Africa win bronze

The Blitzboks ended their remarkable tournament with a bronze medal after they overcome Australia 26-19 in a dramatic contest.

South Africa were the final team to qualify for the Olympics and lost two of their pool games, but they improved as the competition went on.

New Zealand were left stunned in the quarter-finals, which gave the South Africans a guaranteed medal shot, and although they lost to eventual winners France in the last-four, Philip Snyman’s men claimed their reward.

Australia started the brighter, going 7-0 ahead through Nathan Lawson’s try, but the Blitzboks remained in the match at the interval after Selvyn Davids crossed the whitewash.

They would take that momentum into the second period as Zain Davids crossed the whitewash twice to move them 19-7 ahead.

South Africa were also aided by Nick Malouf’s red card for a high shot, but the Australians never gave up and two quick-fire tries via Corey Toole and Henry Paterson levelled the encounter.

It was still tied when the clock went into the red, but ultimately the extra man told and South Africa snatched bronze through Shaun Williams’ score.

The other placings were also confirmed with All Blacks Sevens taking fifth with a 17-7 triumph over Ireland, while Argentina won the seventh/eighth play-off with a 19-0 success over the USA.

There was also joy for Kenya, who defeated Samoa 10-5, while Uruguay condemned Japan to last place after emerging 21-10 victorious.