Antoine Dupont will head to the Olympics a champion once again, as the French captain turned sevens star led Toulouse to another domestic and European double on Saturday (AEST).
Playing alongside World Cup Wallaby Richie Arnold, Dupont scored twice in the first half, including an incredible individual try off a set-piece move, to lead Toulouse to a dominant 59-3 win over Bordeaux.
After Maxime Lucu managed to put Bordeaux on the scoreboard early, it was a complete demolition from the European Cup champions as they ran in nine tries in front of 67,000 spectators at Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
The sight of Toulouse turning the ball over in stoppage time and Ange Capuozzo streaking away to finish a coast-to-coast try put an exclamation mark on the most dominant Top 14 final victory ever.
Dupont, the 2021 World Rugby player of the year, who earlier this year snapped France’s World Series sevens drought after signaling his intent on trying to make the Olympics, was the player of the match.
The 27-year-old was masterful in the rout, with his second try – a chip and chase after bursting through the middle of the Bordeaux defence from a set-piece play – another example of his pace and strength and knack of finding his way to the try line.
“I’m very happy, it’s incredible for the history of the club and these guys,” Dupont told Canal+.
“I think I’ve achieved much more than I could have dreamt of as a child.
“I have to realise that but not too much as to keep dreaming,” he added.
Even without French stars Cyril Baille and Australian-raised Emmanuel Meafou, Bordeaux were completely outclassed by Toulouse who won their fourth Bouclier de Brennus since 2019.
The 56-point win continued Arnold’s extraordinary run at the French heavyweights since first joining in 2019.
Ahead of the clash Arnold, who played his 100th match for Toulouse earlier in the year, spoke of the French club building a dynasty.
“Honestly, I’ve seen this club grow,” Arnold said.
“We’ve had some world class foreign boys come in but credit to the coaches, they’ve kept the core group of French boys together.
“That was the key for this group.
“I remember Roman [Ntamack], [Australian] Zach Holmes was starting over him when I first got here, and he was playing 12, and I see photos back of him and he was such a fresh-faced 19-year-old.
“We talk about building a dynasty here and hopefully we’ll do the double.
Toulouse celebrate wining the Top 14 against Bordeaux. Photo: Top 14
“I was lucky enough to do it with Rory in 2021 to win the double. That’s the goal for this group is to do the double again.”
And by denying fellow Australians Adam Coleman, Kane Douglas and Pete Samu, that they have.
Christy Doranhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2024/06/29/duponts-masterful-display-sees-toulouse-smash-aussie-laden-bordeaux-to-win-top-14-arnold-claims-double/Dupont’s masterful display sees Toulouse smash Aussie-laden Bordeaux to win Top 14, Arnold claims double
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