, Dusautoir was the heartbeat of France during one of their most fiercely competitive eras.
All-time great Dan Carter, widely regarded as the finest back of the professional era, has revealed the six toughest opponents he ever faced during his glittering career.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. With a staggering 1,598 international points, 112 caps for New Zealand and two Rugby World Cup titles, Carter’s word carries serious weight.
Drawing on answers from fan Q&As — including an interview with The Independent — the legendary No.10 lifted the lid on the players who pushed him to his absolute limit.
#6. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Nicknamed “Le Tackle Machine”
The relentless flanker earned 80 caps between 2006 and 2015 and captained Les Bleus from 2009. His defining performance came in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final, where he produced a monumental defensive display — earning Man of the Match despite defeat.
He was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year in 2011, only the second Frenchman to receive the honour, and enjoyed huge club success with Toulouse.
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?
Dusautoir made a staggering 38 tackles against New Zealand in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final — a record-breaking defensive effort.
#4 & #5. Brian O'Driscoll & Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
Two giants in green. One era-defining partnership.
O’Driscoll and O’Connell were the twin pillars of Ireland’s golden generation — one masterminding the backs, the other ruling the forwards.
O’Driscoll won 133 caps, captained Ireland and the Lions, and drove Ireland to the 2009 Grand Slam. Creative, combative and ice-cool under pressure, he became one of the greatest centres in rugby history.
O’Connell, meanwhile, was the towering enforcer — a lineout genius and inspirational leader who captained both Ireland and the British & Irish Lions. His influence on Munster’s European dominance was equally immense.
CARTER SAID:
“Two giants of the game that have worn the green jersey were Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll. Their work rate and how they conducted themselves on and off the pitch was exemplary.”
QUICK FACTS – O’DRISCOLL
- Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 Six Nations
- Devoted Manchester United fan
- Finished his career with Leinster in the 2014 Pro12 Grand Final
#3. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Power. Pace. Destruction.
Jonah Lomu changed rugby forever.
Standing 1.96m and weighing around 120kg, yet able to run 100 metres in 10.8 seconds, Lomu redefined what a winger could be. His breakthrough at the 1995 Rugby World Cup — particularly his four-try demolition of England in the semi-final — made him the sport’s first true global superstar.
He won 63 caps for the All Blacks, scoring 37 tries, and became one of the most feared men ever to step onto a rugby field.
CARTER SAID:
“He was the toughest player. I played against him once, I was 19-year-old and tried to tackle him, kinda woke up five metres back. He changed the game of rugby.”
#2. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
If you wanted a quiet afternoon at fly-half, Schalk Burger made sure you didn’t get one.
The ferocious Springbok flanker earned 86 caps between 2003 and 2015 and was a key figure in South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph. Named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2004, Burger built a reputation on brutal physicality, relentless breakdown work and sheer competitive fire.
He also made a remarkable comeback from a life-threatening illness in 2013 — underlining the resilience that defined his career.
CARTER SAID:
“A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well. His mindset was a little bit different when he was out there competing. That just made him such a tough opponent to come up against.”
#1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
For Carter, the toughest opponent of all was the man he respected most.
Jonny Wilkinson earned 91 caps for England and scored 1,179 Test points, cementing his place among the game’s greats. His iconic extra-time drop goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final secured England’s only world title and remains one of rugby’s most famous moments.
But it was Wilkinson’s control — his obsessive attention to detail and ability to dictate a match — that left the deepest impression on Carter.
CARTER SAID:
“Probably because I held him in such high regard and had a huge amount of respect for him, it was Jonny Wilkinson. He was an absolute student of the game.
“It was a wild, windy test match down in Wellington… and he just took that game and, as a 10 that wants to control a game, I’ve never seen anything like it.
“I just remember sitting there going, ‘If I ever do play 10, this is how you need to control a game’.
“I had a huge amount of respect for him and playing against him.”
Wilkinson’s professionalism, preparation and mental discipline set the benchmark — and even one of the greatest fly-halves of all time was left in awe.
