All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith says French counterpart Antoine Dupont is currently the leading player in world rugby.
Dupont played a starring role in France’s 50-10, seven-try romp against Italy last weekend and the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the game’s most dynamic No 9s since his test debut in 2017.
France lead the Six Nations after the opening round and Dupont, who was the player of the championship last year, scored one try and set up three in the first half of their rout in Rome.
Smith, 32, has played 97 tests and been widely considered the world’s best halfback since his All Blacks debut in 2012.
The Highlanders No 9 should become a test centurion in black this season but said the 28-test halfback, a star in European rugby with his club Toulouse, is on “another level”.
“No one is near him atm,” Smith said of Dupont in a Twitter thread about the world’s best rugby player.
“He’s the point of difference for both his Club and country. He’s helping me look at parts of my game to improve,” he added.
Dupont replied to Smith’s praise with smiling emojis and the Frenchman will be on Ireland’s radar when the two nations clash in Dublin on Sunday (Monday NZ time).
Smith and Dupont could face one another later this year. The All Blacks are due to play France on their European tour, subject to it going ahead amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Smith is preparing for another Super Rugby campaign with the Highlanders, who face the Crusaders in a pre-season encounter in Temuka on Friday.
Smith isn’t playing in the fixture but should be available when the two southern rivals clash in the Super Rugby Aotearoa opener in Dunedin on February 26.
