3. Thierry Dusautoir – France
Few players produced their very best rugby against Carter’s All Blacks as consistently as Thierry Dusautoir.
The legendary France flanker was at the heart of two of New Zealand’s most memorable World Cup battles.
Carter singled out the Frenchman’s ability to deliver when the stakes were at their highest.
“He had some blinding games in big moments.”
None were bigger than France’s extraordinary victory over New Zealand at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and their rematch in the 2011 final.
Dusautoir captained France at Eden Park in 2011, scored their only try and was named Player of the Match despite New Zealand scraping to an 8-7 victory.
He was subsequently crowned World Rugby Player of the Year.
2. Schalk Burger – South Africa
Carter knew whenever he faced the Springboks that Schalk Burger wouldn’t be far away.
The South African flanker was one of the most physical players of his generation and Carter admitted he regularly felt as though Burger had him specifically in his sights.
Describing the Springbok great, Carter said:
“An absolute beast.”
He added:
“I felt like I had a target on me every time I played the Springboks.”
Burger won 86 caps for South Africa, lifted the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2004.
Carter and Burger repeatedly went head-to-head during one of the fiercest periods of the All Blacks-Springboks rivalry.
But there was another opponent Carter admired even more.