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France great Christophe Dominici dead at 48

(Photo by Neal Simpson - PA Images via Getty Images)

Former France player Christophe Dominici was reportedly found dead on Tuesday in the park of Saint-Cloud near Paris. It’s believed the 48-year-old climbed on to the roof of an abandoned park building before jumping and falling to his death.  

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The winner of 67 caps between 1998 and 2007, Dominici was one of the try-scoring France stars who shocked the world when Les Bleus knocked out the All Blacks at the semi-final stage of the 1999 World Cup.   

In a sport where professionalism increasingly put a premium on bigger, heavier players, Dominici’s Test career defied logic as he was only 5ft 8ins and weighed 82kgs. However, he played for France for more than nine years and scored 25 tries.     

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He first emerged at Toulon but it was at the multi trophy-winning Stade Francais where his reputation as a stylish finisher was sealed. 

Dominici was recently involved in an attempt by a group of Middle East investors to take over Pro D2 club Beziers, a project that was ultimately unsuccessful.

On learning of his death, the France rugby federation tweeted: “The great French rugby family is in mourning after the tragic death of our winger Christophe Dominici. We are thinking especially of his family and loved ones.”

They also shared a video of his famed 1999 try at the World Cup against the All Blacks. Dominici was also involved when France eliminated the All Blacks in the 2007 quarter-finals.

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SK 1 hour ago
Jacques Nienaber's Galactico recruits are driving Leinster towards a fifth star

After 2003 South Africa were in tatters, Jake white was appointed as coach and was looking for inspiration. During the Trinations Schalk Burger produced his coming of age performance in New Zealand. He tackled and tackled and tackled some more and nearly got South Africa over the line. South Africa lost the 2 opening matches of that series but a massive rear-guard effort in Ellis Park saw them overcome the All Blacks. De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert hit the AB’s so hard in that game it was something many who saw it will never forget. The big hits just kept coming. A week later the Springboks would lift the Tri Nations trophy for the second time. They would also lift the 2007 World Cup on the back of many big hits and the rush defence pioneered by white. In 2018 Rassie looked for inspiration after a close call in Brisbane where the Springboks lost. Facing overwhelming odds the Springboks found their physicality in a battle for the ages against an All Blacks side brimming with confidence. They didnt always defend cohesively but some of the hits going in were stunning. Their intensity secured a couple of turnover tries and inspired a great victory. One year later on the back of that renewed intensity and the Nienaber rush they would win the World cup again. Winning physical contact is what the Springboks live for. It has become the foundation for all their great teams. It defines their success in the modern era of rugby. It gives them a surge like no other nation gets. You see the same thing in Leinster now. Every time a big hit gets made you see the excitement in the eyes of the players around. Their thirst for blood grows with every shot and you see the opposition cower. When a hit is made they dont stop, they swarm and they become ravenous for the ball. They are like a fighter who just wants more. One gets the feeling they will go all the way this year and their success will be built around that physicality. The next weeks will tell.

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