Rugby 7s: double feat of the French teams in Madrid, qualified for the grand final

It’s a day that could mark a turning point in the history of French rugby sevens. The two French teams, women’s and men’s, qualified for the finals of the Madrid tournament, the last stage of the world circuit, which will crown the champions of the World Sevens Series season. France has never won such a title in this discipline.

In a Civitas Metropolitano that was three-quarters empty at lunchtime, but in front of a noisy French colony, the Blues opened the ball with a narrow victory against Canada (19-17). Second in their group after a defeat against Australia, the girls of coach David Courteix had the nice surprise of seeing the Canadians dominate New Zealand in the other group to avoid the Blacks Ferns, their tormentor in the final of the last Tokyo Games.

At the start of the match where the Blues showed their superior speed, Séraphine Okemba scored twice in the first period before Yolaine Yengo increased the score just before half-time (19-5). But the Canadians took advantage of their numerical superiority after the yellow card inflicted on Valentine Lothoz to come back to two small points (19-17) and it took a final defensive sequence as endless as it was exhausting from the Blues to maintain this slim advantage.

In the final, the French, still looking for a first victory on the world circuit, will meet Australia (at 7:49 p.m.), who also dominated New Zealand by a breath (21-19).

The defensive impact of Antoine Dupont

The French men’s team was opposed to the Fijians, the kings of the discipline, double reigning Olympic champions, and with whom they had prepared at the start of the season during a training course in the Pacific. The one on whom all the cameras have been focused since the start of the weekend, a certain Antoine Dupont, was a substitute at kick-off.

The two teams engaged in an intense battle and if the Fijians struck first with a try at the end of the line from Joji Nasova (0-7), the response from the Blues was not long in coming. Théo Forner was at the end of a great French offensive (7-7) before Iowane Teba, just before half-time, gave Fiji the advantage with an incredible action made from multiple passes (7-14).

Antoine Dupont could then make his entrance. His defensive impact was not long in making itself felt and Rayan Rebbadj scored a try, converted into a corner by Jean-Pascal Barraque, which once again put the two teams level (14-14). After a ball snatched by Dupont in a ruck, the Blues took the advantage on a try from Jefferson-Lee Joseph, who resisted two tackles to score in the corner, a try again transformed (21-14). One last scratch and the deal was in the bag for the starving Blues.

In the final, Jérôme Daret’s men, already winners of the Los Angeles tournament this season, a first in 19 years, will face Argentina (at 8:26 p.m.), against whom they lost in the group. The South Americans dominated the New Zealanders (21-14).