Los Angeles SVNS 2024: Antoine Dupont-inspired France win first rugby sevens title in 19 years
The French superstar helped his nation claim a first men’s World Series since 2005, while Olympic champions New Zealand beat Australia to claim the women’s title.
Rugby Sevens
The Antoine Dupont effect was in full force at the Los Angeles SVNS on Sunday, (3 March), as the French superstar helped his nation to a first rugby sevens tournament win in 19 years
The Paris 2024 Olympics hosts beat Great Britain 21-0 in the final at Dignity Health Sports Park to land their first title since winning the Paris Sevens back in 2005.
Earlier in the semi-finals, Dupont, playing in his second tournament after helping France win bronze in Vancouver last week, demonstrated his lightning speed to beat three opponents and score the opening try of a match his team won by a nerve-wracking scoreline of 26-24.
The men’s bronze medal went to Ireland, who dispatched a much-improved Spain 24-7.
Overall men’s leaders Argentina failed to make the podium for the first time this season, but remain 20 points clear of the chasing pack.
Ireland are second, reigning Olympic champions Fiji are third, and France move up to fourth with three events to go.
New Zealand’s women made it two wins in a row in LA, with Michaela Blyde scoring a hat-trick in the final as the Black Ferns Sevens beat their old rivals Australia 29-14 in the final.
Blyde’s brilliance, combined with power wing Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, earlier helped the reigning Olympic champions claim a big win over Canada in the semi-finals, before they both got on the scoresheet in the gold-medal match.
There was plenty to cheer about for hosts the USA too, who secured their best finish of the season so far with a 21-7 victory over Canada in the women’s bronze medal match.
These results mean that Australia maintain their position atop the overall standings, but their lead has been cut to four points over second-placed New Zealand, while France remain third.