French rugby great Christophe Dominici, who helped stun the All Blacks into famous victories, passes away

Former French rugby winger Christophe Dominici passed away suddenly at age 48, according to French media.

Great rugby had a brilliant run for France and the Stade Francais, which included a pivotal role in the semi-final victory over the All Blacks at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

He was also on the French team that upset the All Blacks in the quarterfinal stage eight years later in Cardiff.

Dominici played 67 games for France, scoring 25 attempts. He retired from the game in 2008 after having played in three World Cups, including the 1999 final loss to Australia. He won four Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams with France.

His try turned the tide in the 1999 semi-final, giving France the lead after trailing 24-10 shortly after halftime. While chasing a box kick from running back Fabien Galthie, Dominici stunned the All Blacks when he perfectly judged the rebound, grabbed the ball with his right hand and passed two defenders to score between the posts.

They went on to win 43-31 in one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. His death follows that of the other No. 11 at Twickenham Field in 1999: Jonah Lomu, who passed away five years ago.

Dominici would come off the bench eight years later, when France once again surprised the All Blacks on the most important stage in rugby: the 20-18 victory at the Millennium Stadium. He retired from test rugby at the end of the 2007 tournament.

“It is with immense sadness that Stade Francis learn of the death of Christophe Dominici,” his former club said in a statement.

“A rugby genius and a peerless companion, he will leave a great void in our great family. Our thoughts go out to his family, his wife Loretta and their daughters Chiara and Mia.”

“He left his mark on a whole generation of rugby,” said the French Rugby Federation. “Today the rugby family has brutally lost a legend, an emblematic player.”

At the club level, he won five French championships in a brilliant 11-year spell with Stade Francais, having started his career with local club Toulon.

The tributes were widespread for Dominici, who was well liked by fans, teammates, and rival players alike.

“Thank you Domi for everything you gave to French rugby and for all the good times I spent with you,” former France winger and teammate Vincent Clerc said on Twitter.

World Rugby called him “an all-time great player”, while the English and Irish federations were quick to offer their condolences.

Jonny Wilkinson, who played for the Toulon club at the end of his career, decided to pay tribute on Twitter in French.

“The death of Christophe Dominici is terribly said,” he wrote. “We are thinking of all his loved ones. The whole sport has lost a true legend.”

– With AP