Former French rugby international Christophe Dominici was found dead at the age of 48, police said on Tuesday.
Dominici, who played 67 times for France, was found in Saint Cloud Park near Paris, police said.
Tiny Dominici, who weighed 172 cm and 82 kg, scored 25 attempts in 67 tests for France, including eight attempts at three world championships.
It had a deceptive variety and a flicker that defenders could lose and confuse.
His most famous moment was the 1999 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand when his attempt in the second half to grab a bouncing ball with one hand and then run down the left sideline put the French ahead as they reached the final with a remarkable result Come back.
The 43:31 win that put France in a final they would lose to Australia is considered one of the greatest games in history.
Dominici had a brilliant club career, first at Toulon in south-eastern France, where he was born, and then at the Stade Francais in Paris, with which he won the French championship five times.
After his retirement, the then national coach Bernard Laporte Dominici gave a coaching role. He also worked as a media expert.
Outside the field, Dominici suffered from depression. In his 2007 autobiography, he admitted that personal loss had caused depression and that he had been molested as a child.
He made his public venture that summer when he faced an Emirates-based offer to take over the Beziers rugby club, which was canceled following a financial viability survey.
The French Rugby Federation said Dominici “shaped a generation of rugby”.
“Today the rugby family has lost a legend and an emblematic player,” she added in a statement.
Fans re-watched his famous attempt after his death as tributes leaked.
“All of our thoughts are with Christophe Dominici’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time,” England Rugby tweeted. “A French rugby legend. Rest in peace, Christophe. “
“It is deeply sad to hear of Christophe Dominici’s death,” tweeted Bill Beaumont, chairman of World Rugby. “He was a star of the 1999 World Cup and scored a brilliant attempt in this exciting semi-final. You had the feeling that every time he went out on the field something special would happen. My condolences go to his family. “
– AFP
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