All-time great Dan Carter, widely hailed as the finest back of the professional era, has lifted the lid on the six hardest players he ever faced during his glittering career.
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With an unmatched 1,598 international points, 112 caps for the All Blacks, and two Rugby World Cup titles, Carter’s opinion is one that carries serious weight in the rugby world.
Drawing on answers he’s given in various fan Q&As — including one with The Independent — the legendary No.10 revealed the elite group of players who pushed him to his absolute limits on the field.
DID YOU KNOW? In the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final against Australia, Dan Carter kicked four penalties, two conversions and a drop goal, and was named the man of the match.
DAN CARTER: TOUGHEST OPPONENTS
#6. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Thierry Dusautoir (born November 18, 1981, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire) is a former French rugby union player celebrated for his exceptional leadership, tireless work ethic, and defensive mastery. A flanker renowned for his relentless tackling and quiet determination, Dusautoir became the heartbeat of the French national team during one of its most competitive eras.
He earned 80 caps for France between 2006 and 2015, captaining the side from 2009 onward. Dusautoir’s defining performance came in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, where his extraordinary 22 tackles and inspirational leadership against New Zealand earned him Man of the Match honors, even in defeat. That same year, he was named World Rugby Player of the Year — only the second Frenchman ever to receive the award.
At club level, he was a cornerstone of Stade Toulousain (Toulouse), helping the team capture multiple Top 14 titles and the 2010 Heineken Cup. Known as “Le Tackle Machine,” Dusautoir’s consistency, humility, and professionalism made him one of the most admired figures in world rugby.
Since retiring in 2017, he has remained a respected ambassador for the sport, embodying the discipline, intelligence, and quiet strength that defined his career.
CARTER SAID: “He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks.”
DID YOU KNOW? He broke the record for most tackles in a match, making 38 tackles against the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup final