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Former rugby international Christophe Dominici, who was found dead at the age of 48 in a park near Paris on Tuesday, was undoubtedly one of the legends of modern French rugby.
FILE: French winger Christophe Dominici practices during a training session at the National Rugby Union Center in Marcoussis on January 31, 2006. Image: AFP
PARIS – Former rugby international Christophe Dominici, who was found dead at the age of 48 in a park near Paris on Tuesday, was undoubtedly one of the legends of modern French rugby.
The diminutive Dominici, who weighed 1.72 m and 82 kg, scored 25 attempts in 67 events for France, including eight attempts in three World Cups.
He had perfect balance, a deceptive change of pace, and a wobble that could lose and confuse defenders, as happened on October 31, 1999 when his try against a New Zealand driven by Jonah Lomu helped France achieve their biggest comeback in the history of the national team. World Cup.
Their second-half attempt in a remarkable semi-final, dodging between two All Blacks to catch a bouncing ball with one hand before skidding down the left touchline, put the French ahead for the first time when they canceled a 14-point deficit. To reach the end
It was an attempt that captured the imagination of rugby people around the world with Dominici coming to personify the legendary “French style”.
The head of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), Bernard Laporte, broke the news to the French squad preparing to face Italy on Saturday under the direction of two of Dominici’s teammates in the famous 1999 game, the hooker Raphael Ibáñez and the scrum half. Fabien Galthie.
“We were in a work session this afternoon … when Bernard Laporte informed us both of this terrible news. We are in shock,” said Ibanez, now France’s coach.
“Domi was a legend in our sport. He wore the blue jersey with so much energy, so much passion.
“Christophe is above all our friend. We experience great and beautiful emotions together, on the field but above all as a team.”
Head coach Galthie was visibly moved as he promised that France would “pay tribute” to Dominici in the match against Italy.
The FFR described Dominici as “a legend and iconic player” who had “left his mark on an entire generation of rugby.”
Former players from around the world joined in the tributes.
“Deeply saddened to hear of Christophe Dominici’s passing. He was a star of the 1999 @rugbyworldcup, scoring a brilliant try in that thrilling semi-final and you had a feeling that something special would happen every time he took the field. My condolences ( sic) are with their family, “World Rugby President Bill Beaumont tweeted.
Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, who faced Dominici several times, tweeted: “Very sad to hear the sudden passing of Christophe Dominici. A stylish French player with great success throughout his career. Hopefully it’s RIP. “
‘RUGBY GENIUS’
Dominici, who according to police was seen by a witness jumping from the roof of a disused building in the Saint-Cloud park, also enjoyed a brilliant career at the club.
He cut his teeth with Toulon in southern France, where he was born, and later moved to the Paris-based Stade Francais, with whom he won the French championship five times.
Stade Francais described Dominici as a “rugby genius and incomparable companion” on Twitter, adding that he “leaves a great void in our great family.”
After his retirement, then-national coach Laporte gave Dominici a coaching role. He also worked as a media expert.
Off the field, Dominici suffered bouts of depression. In his 2007 autobiography, he admitted that a personal loss had caused him to become depressed and that he had been abused as a child.
He returned to the public eye in the summer when he spearheaded an Emirates-based bid to take over the Beziers rugby club, which was sold out when the offer was rejected after a financial investigation by the league.
Always charming and personable, he could be unfailingly frank with reporters.
“Life is well done,” he said at the end of his distinguished international career.
“In the dramas you go through, when you decide to go get things, you reach for them.
“When you no longer want to go looking for them, you are done.”
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