France skipper Dupont says All Blacks ‘back to their best’

PARIS – France captain Antoine Dupont believes “legendary” New Zealand have returned to their best ahead of the teams’ clash on Saturday.
The All Blacks head to Paris on the back of three straight wins including last week’s impressive victory against Ireland.
Before their recent run, three-time World Cup winners New Zealand had started coach Scott Robertson’s tenure in charge with a sluggish June series and an unconvincing Rugby Championship. 
“I think they’ve rediscovered their rugby and certainly their best level of performance of recent years,” Dupont told reporters on Friday. 
“They’re a legendary team who have made generations of people dream with fantastic and inspiring players. They play a rugby which is close to what we love in France,” the former World Rugby player of the year added. 
France have won their last two games against the All Blacks — at the Stade de France in 2021 and at the opening game of last year’s World Cup. 
The success three years ago was Fabien Galthie’s biggest win since he took over as coach after the 2019 World Cup.
It also ended a 14-game run of defeats against the All Blacks, stretching back to 2009.
“When you play the All Blacks it’s always a big, important game,” added Dupont who celebrated his 28th birthday on Friday. 
“The one in 2021 was fundemental for the future of our story. We were a younger team, less experienced.”
– ‘General’ Dupont
Lock Scott Barrett will skipper New Zealand as one of 10 survivors from last September’s loss in the French capital.
“We probably lost the scrum battle last year,” Barrett said.
“It was a hot night, a tense night, we didn’t quite execute our plan. 
“But this is a new group and we’re excited to build on what we’ve done so far in this tour and looking to finish strong,” he added.
Dupont played his first 15-a-side game for France in more than a year in last weekend’s straightforward win over Japan.
The Olympic sevens champion provided two assists in an influential performance. 
“He’s the general as such,” Barrett said. “He’s strong, skillful, he’s pretty well rounded. He controls their game. 
“The flip side of that, if we can keep the ball out of his hands and at least giving him messy ball, then that will go a long way for us in terms of the result tomorrow night.”
By Illtud Dafydd