Thierry Dusautoir – “Blinding games in big moments”

“He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks.”

French captain Thierry Dusautoir tormented the All Blacks more than once. Carter vividly recalls Dusautoir’s superhuman performance in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final, where the flanker made 38 tackles in one match. His leadership and commitment made him one of the most respected players in world rugby.

Bio: Thierry Dusautoir (France) – 80 caps, 2011 IRB Player of the Year, captain in two World Cup finals.

Jonny Wilkinson – “A bit of a fanboy moment”

“Someone I really looked up to and I tried to have a similar work ethic. The 2005 Lions tour was a bit of a fanboy moment for me.”

Carter and Wilkinson are often mentioned in the same breath, but for the Kiwi great, the admiration was clear. Wilkinson’s relentless dedication, trademark drop goals, and 2003 World Cup-winning kick etched him into rugby folklore. The Englishman was more than just a boot—he was a generational talent.

Bio: Jonny Wilkinson (England) – 91 caps, 1,246 international points, World Cup winner (2003).

Richie McCaw – “A real leader”

“I learnt a lot from playing alongside my old mate. A real leader and took us to back-to-back World Cups. Thank God I was never on the opposite side!” said Dan Carter.

No list from Dan Carter would be complete without Richie McCaw. The two shared the pitch for the All Blacks during their most dominant era, including back-to-back World Cup wins in 2011 and 2015. Carter calls him a “real leader”—and few would argue. McCaw was the ultimate captain and competitor.

Bio: Richie McCaw (New Zealand) – 148 caps, 110 wins, two-time World Cup-winning captain (2011, 2015).

Can You Name Every 2021 British & Irish Lions Player?

Think you remember the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa? It’s been a few years since that brutal, bruising, and controversial Test series — but true rugby heads never forget.

RUCK’s Lions content is powered by ISUZU.

  • 42 players were named in Warren Gatland’s final squad
  • The Lions won the First Test 22-17, but the Springboks hit back to win the series 2-1
  • The decider? A gritty 19-16 Springbok victory that still stings for many fans

Now it’s time to test your memory.

  • How many of those 42 Lions can you name?
  • No hints. No positions. Just rugby IQ.
  • You’ve got 5 minutes.

Take the quiz, scroll down, and start typing.
Let’s see what you’re made of.

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