Serge Blanco
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Serge Blanco (born 31 August 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a former rugby union footballer who played fullback for Biarritz Olympique and France, gaining 93 caps, 81 at full back. His alternative position was winger.
Blanco made his French debut against South Africa in 8 November 1980.
Blanco played his final game against England in 19 October 1991 in the 1991 Rugby Union World Cup.
Blanco’s elegant running style, his creativity and inventive spirit epitomised the flamboyance for which French rugby is admired. He is considered one of the greatest exponents of his country and of the international scene of the 1980s. He owes his popularity also to his fair conduct on the field.
Sydney became the venue of his career highlight, where he scored the late and deciding try in the epic semi-final France won 30:24 in dramatic fashion against host Australia in the inaugural rugby world cup 1987 [1] (http://www.rwc2003.irb.com/NR/exeres/9439393D-557C-4C21-B762-515FCE8B4975.htm).
Second to this achievement was winning the Grand Slam with France in the Five Nations Championship in the same year.
One unfulfilled ambition of his other than becoming world champion is failing to win the national championship with his club Biarritz Olympique, despite making a final appearance in 1992. [2] (http://www.bo-pb.com/club_historique.php). This encounter against Toulon was his last high class rugby match.
After retiring as a player, he continued serving Biarritz Olympique as their president. In this function he saw his club eventually becoming French champion in 2002 [3] (http://www.bo-pb.com/club_historique.php). He is now the president of France's national professional league, Ligue Nationale de Rugby.
External links
- Planet rugby player details (http://www.planet-rugby.com/stats/players/player_details.phtml/p_r/ENG?playerCode=FBL2&search_text=Serge%20Blanco&navCode=&tm1Code=%&setCode=archive)
- Sporting heroes (http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=428)fr:Serge Blanco