Antoine Dupont: France captain criticizes referee after loss to South Africa in Rugby World Cup
After France’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to South Africa, Antoine Dupont criticized referee Ben O’Keeffe, saying, “I don’t want to be a bad loser and moan about the refereeing, but I’m not sure the level of refereeing was up to the level of the game today.”
South Africa defeated France in a powerhouse clash on Sunday, while England edged Fiji in a thriller. Antoine Dupont criticized the standard of refereeing after France crashed out of their home World Cup with a heartbreaking single-point defeat to reigning champions South Africa in Paris.
The Springboks won an amazing match at Stade de France 29-28 to go to the semi-finals against England.
France captain Dupont was dissatisfied with his widely publicized return from a shattered cheekbone, and he blamed it largely on subpar officiating.
When asked about New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe’s performance, the scrum-half answered, “Well, what did you think of it?”
“It’s difficult to talk about things because there is a lot of disappointment, a lot of frustration,” France’s players and head coach Fabien Galthie say after France fell out of their home World Cup with a single-point defeat to reigning champions South Africa in Paris.
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“There were a few obvious instances where the whistle was not blown.”
“I don’t want to be a bad loser and moan about the refereeing but I’m not sure the level of refereeing was up the level of the game today.”
Antoine Dupont returned from injury as France fell just short of defeating the world champions.
At full-time, a depressed Dupont was photographed with his hands on his head and afterwards in tears as he was embraced by his parents.
The 26-year-old was back in action just 24 days after suffering a devastating facial injury that threatened to end his tournament prematurely, wearing a scrum-cap for added protection.
France stormed out of the blocks and led 22-19 at the end of one of the most thrilling first 40 minutes in World Cup history, in which the two teams traded tries.
South Africa’s only touchdown came after Eben Etzebeth returned from the sin-bin, while Les Bleus were left to rue one of Thomas Ramos’ three conversion efforts being charged down by Cheslin Kolbe.
France head coach Fabien Galthie announced the retirement of prop Uini Atonio and lock Romain Taofifenua, the two oldest players of his squad, and confirmed his intention to stay in his position.
After the game, French President Emmanuel Macron consoled his country’s players in the locker room.
“For four years we wrote a beautiful page of French history that the players can be proud of,” Galthie went on to say.
“We may be sad tonight as a result of the outcome.”
“I have no regrets. You are permitted to lose, like we did today. We did everything we could to maximize our potential.”
When asked if he planned to step down, the 54-year-old said, “Well, no, I’ve got a contract until June 2028.”
As he reflected on an exciting knockout match, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi applauded Dupont’s ability to rebound.
“The game itself was an amazing game,” he told me. “It flowed, it was tough, it was physical, and there were many competitions.” Everything else pales in comparison to how both teams performed.
“The atmosphere was incredible, and it was the ideal setting for everything.”
“They’ve been building for four years this French team and we knew it was going to take something special for us to win this game because they are so good.”
“And for their leader to be injured and do everything he can to come back for a game like this and play like he’s never left the field before… we give them all credit, and the French people have made this World Cup so special,” he added.
“We anticipated how noisy and chaotic it would be.
