France put All Blacks on notice with big win over Japan as Antoine Dupont returns

France put All Blacks on notice with big win over Japan as Antoine Dupont returns

By Alipate Narawa
Sunday 10/11/2024
Source : Getty images

Star halfback Antoine Dupont celebrated his return as captain and his scoring touch was not even needed as eight-try France routed Japan 52-12 this morning in Paris.

France will play the All Blacks in Paris next weekend.

Les Tricolores crushed the Brave Blossoms at Stade de France, with left winger Louis Bielle-Biarre scoring two tries in a totally one-sided first half and replacement flanker Paul Boudehent grabbing two in the second half.

Dupont came back to XVs in the stadium where he inspired France to a gold medal in sevens at the Paris Olympics. But it was also where he experienced heartbreak as France agonisingly lost by one point to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals one year ago.

After Bielle-Biarrey's unconverted opener, Dupont passed exquisitely out the back of his hand on a counterruck to No 8 Grégory Alldritt.

He fed No 10 Thomas Ramos and his kick to the left corner was grabbed by centre Émilien Gailleton for a converted try and 12-0.

France was on its way to five tries before the break, with flanker Alexandre Roumat celebrating his first international try after collecting Bielle-Biarrey’s pass.

Bielle-Biarrey dived into the left corner for his second followed by prolific hooker Peato Mauvaka crashing over in the right corner for his 10th international try.

The French were in no mood to relent, and prop Jean-Baptiste Gros helped himself to the team's sixth try early in the second half, converted by Ramos to leave Japan facing a chilling 38-0 deficit with ages left to play.

After a Dupont try was ruled out by a knock-on by right winger Théo Attissogbe, the visitors finally got on the scoreboard when Harumichi Tatekawa crossed for a converted try.

Japan grabbed another through Tevita Tatafu when he intercepted Matthieu Jalibert's sloppy pass and charged into the left corner, despite Bielle-Biarrey's last-gasp tackle.

France play the All Blacks at 8.10am next Sunday

Source: Stuff.co

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
We have observed a decline in the number of superbugs at CWM - MOH
The Ministry of Health has today said that they have observed a decline in the number of antibiotic-resistant organisms or superbugs being isolated at...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Australia launches bill to ban social media for children under 16
The Australian Government has tabled a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and proposed fines of up to $73.3 ...
20 minutes ago

6,659 drug cases recorded in 5 years with 1,615 cases recorded last year - ACP Raikaci
6,659 drug cases were recorded by the Fiji Police Force over the last five years, with last year seeing the highest with 1,615 cases. Acting ...
42 minutes ago

Villages are emptying because they know they are not being looked after well – GCC Chair
The Great Council of Chiefs believes that one reason the villages are emptying out is that people in the villages understand that their leaders do ...
46 minutes ago

COP29 delegates are wasting time, we need to send a lean team next year - Charan Jeath Singh
Minister for Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh says most of the attendees representing their countries at COP29 are just wasting time and are a ...
54 minutes ago

PM yet to comment on Tikoduadua’s offer to temporarily step aside
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka is yet to comment on Minister for Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua offering to temporarily step aside from his ...
1 hour ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
7 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
7 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
14 days ago

TOP