Why the passing of Christophe Dominici has hit the rugby world so hard
The passing of French rugby icon Christophe Dominici has hit the Rugby World so hard. We look at the reasons as to why the passing of the 48-year-old Frenchman has had such a massive impact.
The news of his passing circulated the world yesterday when reports emerged that Dominici’s body was found in a park in Paris.
His former club, Stade Francais from Paris announced the tragic news on their social platforms yesterday.
“It is with immense sadness and heartbreak that Stade Français Paris learn of the death of Christophe Dominici,” a statement read. “During the 11 years spent in our colours, Christophe, thanks to his incredible talent and his class, greatly contributed to writing the legend of the club.
“An international 65 times, his exploits in the blue jersey have dazzled thousands of young rugby players and allowed the French team to write some of the most beautiful pages in its history. Rugby genius and peerless companion, he leaves a great void in our big family. Our hearts go out to his family, his partner Loretta, his daughters Chiara and Mia.”
Big rugby names from across the world reacted in shock to his passing.
Ben Foden dans les commentaires Instagram de @RugbyPass pic.twitter.com/DqTZZx1qZ3
— Arnaud Coudry (@ArnaudCoudry) November 24, 2020
Very sad to hear of the sudden passing of Christophe Dominici. A French player full of flair with huge success throughout his career. May he RIP.
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) November 24, 2020
The epitome of french flair. RIP Dominici pic.twitter.com/xely27iUZo
— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) November 24, 2020
La mort de Christophe Dominici est terriblement triste. On pense à toute ses proches. Le monde du sport a perdu une véritable légende
— Jonny Wilkinson (@JonnyWilkinson) November 24, 2020
Dominici was revered in the sport for the way that he epitomised ‘French Flair’.
He was a key cog in the French team on the wing in the 1990’s and 2000’s helping the men in Blue carve out a name for themselves as one of the most exciting teams in the sport.
Tries like the one below for Stade Francais portray just how difficult he was to play against.
In France, top coaches Fabien Galthié and Raphael Ibanez were visibly distraught at the news of the passing of their former teammate.
Ibanez, who played hooker alongside Dominici spoke highly of the Frenchman, saying that they had stayed in contact for years after they stopped playing together.
The 48-year-old was still a massive name in French rugby.
Earlier this year, Dominici was involved in a bid by a consortium from the United Arab Emirates to take over the financially troubled Beziers rugby club in the south of France.
This deal would have seen the club become a powerhouse in the country. It displays how he was still massively influential in the sport, with his name carrying a lot of weight in the future of rugby.
The bid was halted by the sport’s financial regulator and Dominici was said by friends to have taken the failure very badly.
He was held to such a high standard by the French public because of the massive influence he had on big games for the national team.
In the 1999 Rugby World Cup, the icon was a key player in France’s shock win over New Zealand in the semi final.
His moments of individual brilliance helped the team to win.
This post will be updated with more reaction to this tragic news.
