Rugby 7: France beat New Zealand 28-26: No final for Antoine Dupont and the Blues in Vancouver

The coronation will not be this time. The French men's rugby sevens team, which has not won a tournament at the world level since 2005, failed in the semi-final held in Vancouver on Friday evening against New Zealand (28-26). Antoine Dupont, who is playing his first match in the “sevens” this weekend with the aim of participating in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, entered during the second half, when the score was 21-12.

The regular skipper of the French When Jefferson Lee-Joseph scored his second try of the match, at the end of the final, New Zealand's victory was already sealed. Aquila Rukuliswa, also the author of the double book, contributed greatly to this.

At the end of the game, DuPont was strong twice defensively. A chasing tackle that had the crowd roaring, followed by a blitz that, when the score was 28-12, allowed France to go closer indirectly.

Winners of the USA in group play, the Blues will face off again, hoping for a first podium finish of the year, at 1:10am Sunday night into Monday (France time). Then Argentina, the best team at the start of the season, will try to cut off New Zealand (2:23) in the “Grand Final”.

Between these two matches, the outcome of the women's tournament could be glorious for France. The Blues, seeking their first title of this magnitude, are seeking victory in Canada. They beat Australia (the No. 1 country in the world) in the semi-final (21-19) and will have to beat the New Zealanders from 1 hour 43 minutes onwards to make history.

The French woman, third in the world rankings and Olympic vice-champion, finally has the opportunity to live up to the excellent form she is displaying. Seraphine Okemba, who returned for this tournament, scored her first try in the first half, followed by Camille Grassino and Anne-Cecile Ciofani. Australian Dominic du Toit missed the equalizer in this exciting confrontation.