4. Thierry Dusautoir \u2013 France<\/p>\n
Position:\u00a0Flanker
Caps:\u00a080
Test career:\u00a02006\u20132015<\/p>\n
\u201cA menace\u201d<\/p>\n
Few players caused the All Blacks more problems on the biggest stage than Thierry Dusautoir.<\/p>\n
McCaw said:\u00a0\u201cOver the years I\u2019ve played him a few times and you always know he\u2019s there. He was always pretty big defensively and in the breakdown area. A menace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter also singled out the Frenchman\u2019s ability to produce his best rugby when the pressure was greatest.<\/p>\n
Carter said:\u00a0\u201cHe had some blinding games in big moments \u2013 none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dusautoir was instrumental in France\u2019s famous 2007 World Cup quarter-final victory over New Zealand before captaining Les Bleus against the All Blacks in the 2011 final.<\/p>\n
3. Jonny Wilkinson \u2013 England<\/p>\n
Position:\u00a0Fly-half
Caps:\u00a091 for England, six for the British & Irish Lions
Test career:\u00a01998\u20132011<\/p>\n
\u201cThe closest thing I\u2019ve seen to the perfect rugby player\u201d<\/p>\n
This was where Carter delivered perhaps the biggest compliment of all.<\/p>\n
The two fly-halves were regularly compared during their careers, but Carter had no hesitation in acknowledging Wilkinson\u2019s greatness.<\/p>\n
Carter said:\u00a0\u201cYou might have heard of him? Former England captain and Toulon player Jonny is probably the closest thing I\u2019ve seen to the perfect rugby player.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCaw was similarly complimentary.<\/p>\n
McCaw said:\u00a0\u201cHe\u2019ll go down as one of the greats of world rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wilkinson famously kicked England to World Cup glory in 2003, landing the match-winning drop goal against Australia in extra-time.<\/p>\n
His obsessive preparation, defensive commitment and remarkable accuracy from the tee established him as one of rugby\u2019s greatest-ever fly-halves.<\/p>\n
He later enjoyed a stunning second act with Toulon, helping the French giants win back-to-back European titles before retiring in 2014.<\/p>\n
DID YOU KNOW?\u00a0Wilkinson\u2019s brother Mark also played professional rugby, representing Newcastle Falcons alongside him.<\/p>\n