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‘Martian’ Dupont tackles Smith in battle of nines from outer space

France versus New Zealand pits two of world’s best scrumhalves against each other

New Zealand’s Aaron Smith is tackled by France’s Antoine Dupont at the Stade de France in November 2017. Photograph: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

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John O'Sullivan
Fri Nov 19 2021 - 06:00

When Aaron Smith proclaimed France’s number nine and captain Antoine Dupont as the best player in the world in February – the Toulouse halfback is on a shortlist of four for the official global award – it was a case of game recognising game.

The 32-year-old New Zealand scrumhalf Smith responded to a Guinness Six Nations rugby tweet by stating: “this guy is on another level. No one is near him atm [at the moment]. He is the point of difference for both his club and country. He’s helping me look at parts of my game to improve.”

During the summer the two scrumhalves were pitted against one another in World Rugby’s self-proclaimed battle of the hemispheres, to determine who had the fastest pass. The outcome, well let’s just say it’s a split decision and worth a look.

On Saturday night in Paris the two will collide once again, this time in direct opposition as France host the All Blacks. There was one previous duel between the players in 2017, when New Zealand beat their hosts 38-18 at the Stade de France.

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Smith's quicksilver passing, speed, vision, decision-making and ability to bring out the best in his team-mates are key attributes, but so too is his mental strength

Smith, who has never been on the losing side against Les Tricolores, winning all nine encounters joined the this year’s tour late, excused to await the birth of a second child, but subsequently made the journey north following an injury to Brad Weber.

Smith didn’t make the match 23 in Dublin last week but his presence in the All Blacks team on Saturday will be celebrated by those who enjoy watching two of the world’s best stand toe-to-toe. Smith, or Nugget as he is known to team-mates and friends, makes his 102nd appearance, since making his debut against Ireland nine years ago.

During his career to date the former apprentice hairdresser has won World Cup and Super Rugby titles and was widely regarded as the premier scrumhalf in the global game at various stages. His quicksilver passing, speed, vision, decision-making and ability to bring out the best in his team-mates are key attributes, but so too is his mental strength.

As he’s got older Smith has invested financially in his longevity, spending his own money to ensure that his body is as primed as it can be. He explained: “The top two inches is easy around getting mentally ready for things but physically it’s just hard work. There is no substitution. You earn everything you get.

“I watch a lot of sports overseas around athletes I like that motivate me. The longevity is more around consistency, and little things done well and often, small sacrifices, but there are big rewards if you are able to stay committed to something.”

He offered some specifics about his regimen: “I can’t just go run the roads like I used to. My knees and joints don’t like it. But there are Watt bikes and things now to help if you’re willing.

“I do a lot of stuff before I even get to training in the mornings. I’ve got a very good routine around where I know I need to get my body to, and spend a lot of time with nutritionists around the fuel I put in.

“I spend a lot of money on recovery. I get a couple of rubs a week, and I’m very stringent with recovery pumps, ice baths and saunas. I have all that at home. I’m willing to pay for my body and I’m willing to make sure that it gives me as much as it can.” It’s been a handsome investment.

There is a preternatural calm to the way Dupont plays in the maelstrom of a match, finding time and space to destabilise opponents

Dupont, seven years younger, should be crowned World Player of the Year to follow his 2020 Six Nations player of the tournament gong, recognition of a wonderful talent and a linchpin for his club, Toulouse whom he helped to propel to a Heineken Champions Cup and French Top 14 double last season, and for the national side, of whom he was made captain recently by head coach Fabien Galthié.

When appraised of Smith’s comments the French man responded: “I was very touched, almost embarrassed. So, yes, it was great but I have not won anything yet with France.”

‘Toto’ Dupont has excelled on a rugby pitch first at Auch, then Castres, for whom he made his European debut as a 17-year-old against Leinster, and then the club he supported as a boy and from whom he now plays, Toulouse.

Quite simply he is a brilliant rugby player, who adds massive value in both attack and defence, a quality appreciated by friend and foe. French prop Cyril Baille called him “The Martian” because “he comes from another planet”. In February, Ireland wing James Lowe said: “Dupont is a common theme in everything that goes well with this French side. He’s an amazing player; to me, the world’s best player at the moment.”

There is a preternatural calm to the way he plays in the maelstrom of a match, finding time and space to destabilise opponents. He is chilled off the pitch too. “My pre-match routine is to not have a routine. When you have too many rituals, if there’s one that you can’t carry out, then that can throw something off in your preparation. So, I just try to not have any.”

He explained that on a pitch “playing [with] ball-in-hand is easily where we find the greatest pleasure,” and currently there are none that do it better. For the neutral the hope is that both Smith and Dupont are given the opportunity to show that talent in Paris tomorrow night.