The sight of Antoine Dupont swapping shirts with Lionel Messi last week – during his holiday in the States – helped to reignite GOAT claims and complaints, relating to France’s captain and national hero.
For the uninitiated, that acronym means Greatest Of All Time; a tag which has been applied to Dupont in many quarters and strongly dismissed in many others. The debate rages on, and this time it has been exacerbated by confirmation from the French federation (FFR) that many of their leading lights – most likely including the iconic No 9 – won’t be available to tour New Zealand next summer.
Naturally, the Kiwis are outraged and who can blame them? They are going to have a hard time marketing a Test series when the outstanding attraction is far away, lying on a beach. And there are implications for Dupont too. If he is missing from such grand events, can he become the GOAT – or justify the argument that he already is at that exalted level (which he isn’t, yet)?
The dissenting voices – many from south of the equator – are adamant that he is over-promoted as the best thing since sliced bread. They point to his lack of glorious feats away from home, given that a Grand Slam and Olympic Sevens title were both secured in Paris. They suggest that he thrives in comfort zones, implying a rugby equivalent of the classic query about whether a footballing grand-master ‘can do it on a wet Tuesday night in Stoke’.
In all seriousness, the Sevens success proved to a global audience that the Frenchman is a freakish talent, who has won trophies galore and a stack of personal prizes – including being named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2021. But the greatest ever? Sorry, not yet.
France talisman Antoine Dupont looks set to miss France’s tour of New Zealand next summer
The 27-year-old added to his impressive legacy with an Olympic gold medal this summer
But Dupont hasn’t yet done enough in his career to be considered the greatest of all time
Surely, there have to be stringent criteria linked to tallies of medals and awards, longevity and so on. Richie McCaw is still the GOAT, in the view of this column. He won two World Cups as captain of New Zealand, back to back; one while coping with suffocating host-nation pressure after failed campaigns in the past – and without the injured Dan Carter to share the burden.
Not only that, but his All Blacks were the ‘winningest’; with only three losses during their imperious period from 2011 to 2015. That record under Steve Hansen amounted to sporting nirvana and the supreme openside was the ultimate influence in the ultimate team. He was named world Player of the Year three times and shortlisted on five other occasions; an unsurpassed record.
Martin Johnson remains the northern hemisphere front-runner in this global pantheon, while Sergio Parisse deserves a different sort of prominence, as he was magnificent for years in a beaten Italy team – carrying it on his back. Props are routinely ignored when the baubles are being handed out, but what about Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, as the cornerstone of a series victory against the Lions and a World Cup triumph, a decade apart, as a cherished idol and epitome of Springbok might?
Dupont exists in a different category though. Genius. The king of Toulouse possesses super-human brilliance. He is not merely a champion, he is an entertainer too; strong, quick, tough and dazzling as a big-stage performer and visionary. He is unrivalled in that sense right now. McCaw wasn’t that type of player – neither was Johnson. Their knack was for winning games, not selling tickets.
The Gallic maestro is carrying the torch for the genius figures of the pro era, such as Christian Cullen, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Brian O’Driscoll, Jason Robinson and Juan Martin Hernandez. All those could put bums on seats and serve as box-office attractions in their own right. Jonah Lomu was that to the max, but in a different way – as an almost distinct species of havoc-wreaking giant.
The thing about GOATs is that they can’t be tethered by politics. They must be seen and celebrated. If Dupont is to be that person – and he could yet be – all concerned have to ensure that he is present on the biggest occasions, not held back by club-country deals which don’t consider the greater good.
Richie McGraw is more deserving of such a moniker for his achievements at international level
But Dupont’s superstar status makes him unique in a sport crying out for marketable athletes
It is a failing of the sport if a man being touted as, possibly, the greatest there has ever been, is not given a global platform to prove it, again and again, beyond all doubt.
He is 27, so there is still plenty of time. Let him take his shot and promote the sport in an era when heroes and superstars are desperately needed. To hell with tall poppy syndrome, which is far too common in rugby. Put him on billboards and talk up the debate.
Is he the GOAT? Buy a ticket, watch him close up and take a view. Or at least just admire the fact that he is undoubtedly a genius; one who may not have reached his prime yet. Dupont should be seen and feted far from home – starting in New Zealand next summer. The dissenting voices will soon fall silent if he dominates the All Blacks in their back yard.
Lozowski makes England return after six-year absence
Alex Lozowski will be back in England colours at a training camp this week, as a fitting reward for following his heart and refusing to abandon hope. It is six years since the Saracens centre last won a Test cap, but he refused to follow the trend of choosing the path of least resistance.
When Italy made an approach to him in 2022 about switching allegiance – as he qualified for the Azzurri – Lozowski declined, in the belief that he could still wear the red rose again. His determination to keep trying when it was assumed that his chance had passed is a wonderful example.
Alex Lozowksi’s resilience has been rewarded as he looks set to return to the fold for England
It would be fitting if he was to earn selection during the autumn series at Twickenham, to fully justify his commitment to England. At a time when there are so many players adopting flags of convenience, here is someone who had a dream and didn’t waiver. He didn’t want to just represent a country, he wanted to represent his country. Good luck to him.
Doncaster’s win over Ealing was a statement of intent
One notable result over the weekend was Doncaster’s dramatic 36-35 win over Championship rivals Ealing Trailfinders in west London. Ealing are title holders and favourites for a tilt at promotion to the Premiership at the end of this season, so this was a statement upset by the Yorkshire visitors.
They have upward ambitions, as do Coventry – who are top of the second division with three wins from three – so it is already bubbling nicely. Any of those three clubs could, theoretically, hope to gate-crash the elite. Please, please, please, let’s not have a sham campaign.
Here’s hoping that whoever finishes top of the Championship pile can have a crack at whoever finishes bottom of the Premiership – subject to satisfying minimum standards criteria for promotion.
That would generate proper tension and intrigue; which in turn would be a major boost to the English domestic game. Meanwhile, good on Chinnor for being in the thick of it; second in the Championship after two wins from three so far. Nick Easter continues to work wonders in Oxfordshire.
Marcus Smith can shine for England at full-back
Marcus Smith scored a try last Friday night which exemplified the threat he can pose in a freer role at full-back. Harlequins’ playmaker bamboozled Northampton’s defence with his footwork when released in space in the 22, from an attacking lineout.
Smith shaped to arc wide but instead, in a flash, he had shot through a gap of his own creation to score, with a diving finish.
It was another demonstration of his remarkable speed of thought and movement, and his game-breaking threat with the ball. England are bound to line up with Smith – Marcus, not Fin – at 10 against the All Blacks on November 2, and that would represent logical continuity after the summer tour. But if George Ford is available, as expected, don’t be surprised to see the Quins sorcerer redeployed at full-back later in that Test.
Marcus Smith’s versatility could prove to be a valuable asset for England against the All Blacks
It was a shrewd ploy suggested by Kevin Sinfield and adopted by Steve Borthwick before the World Cup last year, and what Smith did with a roaming brief in the East Midlands showed that it can be a productive option again.
Premiership clubs aim to replicate continental atmosphere
Last word – Premiership clubs are striving valiantly to create fervour in their grounds, before and during games. Northampton welcomed a full house for the clash with Quins and tried out a light show before kick-off, with the use of an app downloaded to fans’ phones.
It was innovative and had a decent effect. Bath urged supporters to form a welcome ‘tunnel’ for when the home team arrived and they, too, have a strong, loyal following. But there is a cultural hindrance in the English game. Crowds here simply aren’t as passionate as they are in France.
Toulouse’s welcoming committee for their team is a sight to behold, La Rochelle’s hordes fill their own ground every time, armed with flares and drums, Toulon’s pre-match ‘Pilou Pilou’ call to arms creates an intimidating din, and the decibel level at Clermont Auvergne is remarkable when the place is full.
Elsewhere, Ulster at home and Munster’s Red Army are formidably raucous, and of course Cardiff is a seething pit of hostility when the arch enemy from the other side of the bridge are in town. Only one English club can claim a place in the atmosphere hierarchy. Gloucester. The Shed at Kingsholm is one Premiership hot-bed of loud, raw, tribal support which is so prevalent in neighbouring countries.
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