Most players would be content to have captained their country a record 51 times, been named 2011 World Player of the Year, won a European Cup and five domestic titles but not Thierry Dusautoir, whose final ambition is to become the first French skipper to lift the Rugby World Cup trophy.
The Ivory Coast-born Toulouse star – who turns 34 in November – has not enjoyed the best of times either with club or country since he captained France to a surprise place in the 2011 World Cup final where they were judged by many to have been unlucky to lose 8-7 to hosts New Zealand.
Dusautoir, who was named World Player of the Year on the back of his performances for France in that World Cup, is far from disheartened by his experiences since.
“Playing in a World Cup final has not happened to too many players in the world, and after that it would have been even better to have been crowned champions but we just fell short,” said the ‘Dark Destroyer’.
That nickname he earned for his fearless tackling especially when France upset the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup quarter-finals where his total of 38 tackles was two more than their opponents managed altogether.
“It doesn’t get much better than playing the All Blacks at Eden Park, but I always think the most important match is the next one and so I hope my best experience is still to come,” he said.
Dusautoir, who won the first of his 67 caps against Romania in 2006, said that despite their poor form under national head coach Philipp Saint-Andre he still dreams of playing another final and this time winning the World Cup.
“Of course, maybe not against the All Blacks but in any case that is what we are working towards, we are not, though, training to play in another final but to win it,” said Dusautoir.
