All Black Smith joins Dupont GOAT debate

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It seems like the debate whether Antoine Dupont is the Greatest Of All Time will not be settled soon as All Black legend Aaron Smith adds his voice.

For the last few months, fans and pundits have been busy laying their cases for why Dupont should regarded as the #GOAT of the game or not.

The debate has flared up after the playmaker led France to Olympic gold in Paris.

And now All Black scrumhalf Smith has provided his take on the intense debate.

The No.9 revealed that Dupont will certainly be regarded as one the ‘greats’ and described the Frenchman as “not just a scrumhalf”.

Smith did not, however, conclusively say whether the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year is the #GOAT yet.

The 2015 World Cup winner had long been regarded as the premier No.9 in the world until Dupont appeared on the scene and dominated matches with his incredible skills.

“He’s still young…” the 124-cap All Black said.

“And when it’s all said and done, he will be one of the greatest to play our game. He’s already probably the greatest of this generation. He has changed rugby. He’s not just a scrumhalf; he is pure class.”

Smith, who is now plying his trade for Toyota Verblitz in Japan Rugby League One, brought his rivalry to a close with Dupont at the World Cup last year, with the All Blacks‘ pool stage loss to France likely to be his last encounter with the gold medallist.

This is not the first time that Smith showered the Toulouse scrumhalf in praise either.

In February 2021, before Dupont had won a Grand Slam or Player of the Year, the former Highlander said that he was “on another level” and that “no one is near him”.

Three years later, few would have foreseen how much better the Olympian would get.

Source: Rugbypass