France’s chances of lifting the World Cup have taken a massive dent with scans revealing captain Antoine Dupont suffered a facial fracture in the 96-0 win over Namibia.
The 2021 World Player of the Year and captain of the host nation was hit by Namibian captain Johan Deysel in the second half. Deysel received a red card.
The 26-year-old was examined by medical staff and was clutching his face. He didn’t return from a HIA check and was taken to hospital while the game was ongoing.
“Antoine Dupont has suffered a maxillo-zygomatic fracture,” the FFR said in a statement.
“A specialist surgical opinion has been requested to determine the exact length of the player’s unavailability. Antoine Dupont remains with the France squad.”
French coach Fabien Galthie told reporters after the game: “We have suspicions of a crack or fracture on the maxilla (jaw bone). He has gone for examinations. We will wait for the results before moving forward. We need to take advantage of this great victory and the players’ fine performance.”
French media has reported the timeline of recover between three to four weeks. There were varying reports on whether he could return in time for a quarterfinal or semifinal.
France will likely top their group having beaten New Zealand in the opening game and will face a quarterfinal on October 13 or 14.
French team general manager Raphael Ibanez said: “We feel sorry for Antoine. It just reminds us how dangerous head to head contact can be. Antoine got a big hit on his face. We do some exams to make sure there is nothing wrong with him but he’s a strong guy and we can rely on his strength.”
Dupont was already showing his class in the massacre of the African minnows.
The rugby world reacted in shock to the moment that could shift the balance of power away from the host nation, already without star No.10 Romain Ntamack.
Dupont’s brilliance is something every other nation fears.
“There’s no one in any team like Dupont, he’s too good. I’ve analysed him in depth but you try to understand and coach how you can limit him but he becomes such an enigma is it? An anomaly, when he doesn’t have the ball,” said Irish legend Ronan O’Gara, who coaches against Dupont in France, this week on RugbyPass.
“He has the freakish strength of a front row and back row. He has the fend of a centre and he has the speed of winger and he has the smarts of a 10 and he’s gone.
“That’s where he does stuff that sometimes – I absolutely hate him – obviously, because he’s from Toulouse and he’s so good. And he’s caused me a lot of hurt.
“But I admire everything in this rugby player. He is beyond a freak for me. He would deflate a nation. He is (Zinedine) Zidane for this team.”
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
It depends, is NZ the same team as in 2021 that are unable to control a breakdown on attack or defense. In 2021 Italy v New Zealand was alot closed than the scoreline suggested. Up to that point New Zealand had been running up big scores and everyone was talking about how good they were. What Italy did to them is the same thing Ireland, France and South Africa have done which is hold the ball and attack the breakdown. Italy had the fastest ruck speed of any of the 6N teams which says alot when you consider they are playing teams like France, Ireland and Italy not OZ and it has improved massively since the NZ game. Yes they struggle against power of SA but not the power of teams like Ireland (similar to NZ). Will NZ be able to win by mauls and 5m scums v italy like they did 2 years ago.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Current table is France 13, Italy 10, NZ 5. If NZ beat Italy 4-2 then Italy are on 12 and NZ are on 9 meaning that NZ can only reach 14 which would mean a 4-2 win for Italy sees them on 16 and France on 15 and I think France would rather Face Ireland then SA. I would expect NZ to beat Italy but it shows how much they have fallen that they must beat Italy by more than 7pts to make sure they don't go out.
Rajah
Roar Rookie
Despite All Blacks being a bit below their best and Italy being their best for a long time, I could not see Italy getting within coooeee of the All Blacks, let alone score 4 tries. They needed the luck to be in Pool C or D to have a decent chance for the quarters.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Its all about professionalism. When professionalism good teams like Canada, Samoa Tonga and Romania had lots of players become professional but they had rubbish pathways. This meant by about 2007 most had retired and they were struggling to find professional players to pick from. On the other hand teams like Georgia, Spain, Portugal etc had no professionals so they had to build up a pathway to get their players into professional teams. It was why they used the u18 and u20 as a way to show off their rising generation and professional clubs picked them up. Romania stuck with their professional league but that has fallen behind as the younger players are not as well prepared. MP may help Samoa and Tonga and MLR may help Canada but they are all so far behind at u20s. We need only look at the Spain v Samoa game at u20s this year and you can see how much more professional the Spainish team look.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
We only need look at the u20s as a look into the future. European and South American T2 teams like their T1 teams have a foundation in the basic skills and being well organised. Both South America and Europe have u18, u20 and also a professional international club league where the team's sole purpose is to get their players into bigger leagues like the T14. Namibia are starting to do it but they need more test rugby against T2 sides. Team like Portugal has about 20 lads all looking to get a better contract in 2024 and to show they are well rounded players.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Nearly all French 9s do the same things as Dupont, They just cant kick it as far, or as strong in the tackle but Luca is still test standard and like Jailbert, many thought he would be a drop down but he was just been another cog in the machine.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Getting the ball to 10 wasn't the only skill by dupont tho. Big loss
Guess
Roar Rookie
So what? They've already won most important game. All they've built is other teams chances of winning wc
Guess
Roar Rookie
The less training the less chances for injury
Guess
Roar Rookie
They were dumb to let him play against namibia.. Well at least they scored more than abs I guess. Was it worth it tho
Guess
Roar Rookie
I heard some commentator said Dupont is the player who likes to play in every game to have more minutes under his belt.. welp
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Do we believe that NZ have the ability to play a knock out game, Well, Far more than we believe Ireland has thats for sure. NZ rates way above Ireland on knock out wins. Ireland has NEVER won a knockout game.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah Ive never really rated Sopoaga. lealiifano was better tham Sopoaga at his best but both bests are a while ago now.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Lealiifano was hopeless when it mattered. Samoa definitely need Sopoaga back in..
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
is he the La rochele guy
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Ireland are the one team who would love a week off right now
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Canada has really dropped off in that case. I remember them playing nz in the 91 or 95 world cups they had a big abrasive forward pack and looked ok
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Maybe NZ win by 34 eh.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
So lose to NZ but score 4 tries and lose by 7 or less? NZ go thru and it comes down to Italy or France. Id back France every match they play. Its currently 44 - 3 in favour of France.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Have you been watching them play? Very disappointing so far. trailed Uruguay at half time. That sort of form will not beat either France or NZ.