The Springboks expect France’s new halfback pairing of Maxime Lucu and Antoine Dupont to operate as interchangeable playmakers at the Stade de France on Friday night. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
With usual flyhalf Romain Ntamack sidelined by a dislocated shoulder and Matthieu Jalibert also injured, France coach Fabien Galthié handed captain Dupont his first Test start in the No 10 jersey alongside scrumhalf Lucu.
Speaking on Thursday, Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said they have prepared for constant rotation between the two halfbacks rather than a conventional 9-10 structure.
“It’s a normal thing. It’s not a new thing. He has also played in that position before, at club level, and I think he’s a good enough player to do that,” Stick said of the former World Rugby Player of the Year’s shift to flyhalf.
“It also seems that Galthié is preparing something special around that 9-10 combination, with Lucu and Dupont swapping from time to time.”
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Stick noted that both players bring extensive experience in both roles – Lucu covered flyhalf after Ntamack’s injury against Fiji – giving France freedom to alter their point of attack.
“It’s not a fixed position. That’s why it’s going to be tricky,” Stick warned. “Antoine will be wearing 10, so he has licence to do whatever he wants between nine and 10. Remember, Lucu has also covered the 10 position in the past.
“You’re going to see more of Dupont at the breakdowns at times. You’re going to see Lucu sometimes at first receiver. That’s where it’s going to become quick.”
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While the Boks anticipate the usual heavyweight confrontation up front against a French pack loaded with offloading forwards, Stick identified the tempo and decision-making of the Lucu-Dupont axis as the primary threat capable of unleashing dangerous outside backs such as winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
“If you allow that 9-10 combination more time and space with the ball in hand, they’ve got the potential to punish us,” Stick said. “Dupont is very good at making decisions under pressure, and on the other side you’ve got Lucu, who’s probably one of the best in game management.
“When it comes to the physicality, we know they’re going to bring it, but it’s going to be tricky between nine and 10, because they’ve got the licence to go around the field and keep swapping. We have to give them as little time as possible and put them under the most pressure we can.
“If you’re playing the best in the world, guys like Dupont and Bielle-Biarrey, and you give them time and space, they will punish you. We don’t want to allow teams to get on top of us.”
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Stick insisted the world champions have not designed special plans around Dupont, relying instead on their established rush defence to suffocate France’s supply line.
“Both packs want momentum, both want to dominate, and that’s going to set the platform for both backlines. The key thing is to make sure we don’t give them that space and we don’t give them momentum on the ball.”
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
The post Boks brace for Dupont, Lucu’s ‘licence’ to roam appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Springboks expect France’s new halfback pairing of Maxime Lucu and Antoine Dupont to operate as interchangeable playmakers at the Stade de France on Friday night.
The post Boks brace for Dupont, Lucu’s ‘licence’ to roam appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
