Biography
Serge Blanco, born on August 31, 1958, in Caracas, Venezuela, is a former French rugby union player. Nicknamed the “Pele of Rugby,” Blanco is widely regarded as one of the greatest French rugby players of all time and one of the finest in the history of the sport. Standing at 1.83 meters (6’0″) tall, he played primarily as a fullback. Blanco earned 93 caps for the French national team from 1980 to 1991, scoring 233 points, making him the fourth most capped French player as of 2015. He was known for his exceptional speed, agility, and scoring ability, recording 38 tries, which ranks him sixth globally and first in France.
Teams Played For and Years
- Junior Career: Biarritz Olympique until 1975
- Senior Career:
- Biarritz Olympique: 1975-1992
- Barbarians:
- British Barbarians: 1984-1991 (2 matches, 8 points)
- French Barbarians: 1981-1994 (8 matches)
International Caps
Serge Blanco earned 93 caps for France between 1980 and 1991, scoring 38 tries. He was a key player in France’s victories in the Five Nations Championship and played a crucial role in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, where France finished as runners-up.
Most Important Moments in His Sports Career
- First International Cap: November 8, 1980, against South Africa.
- Five Nations Championships: Won six times (1981, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989) including two Grand Slams (1981 and 1987).
- 1987 Rugby World Cup: Led France to the final, scoring a decisive try in the semi-final against Australia.
- Record Holder: Most tries scored for France (38).
Career Highlights
- Five Nations Championships:
- 1981: Grand Slam
- 1983: Joint winner with Ireland
- 1986: Joint winner with Scotland
- 1987: Grand Slam
- 1988: Joint winner with Wales
- 1989: Winner
- Rugby World Cups:
- 1987: Finalist (5 matches, 4 victories, 1 defeat)
- 1991: Quarter-finalist (4 matches, 3 victories, 1 defeat)
Post-Rugby Career
After retiring from playing, Serge Blanco became a prominent figure in rugby administration and business. He served as president of Biarritz Olympique from 1995 to 1998 and again from 2008 to 2015. He was the first president of the French National Rugby League (LNR) from 1998 to 2008 and vice-president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) from 2012 to 2016. Blanco has also been involved in various business ventures, including a thalassotherapy center and a clothing line.
Family and Early Life
Serge Blanco was born to Odette, a Frenchwoman of Basque origin, and Pedro Blanco, a Venezuelan police officer. After his father’s death in 1960, the family moved to Biarritz. Blanco showed exceptional talent in sports from a young age and chose to pursue rugby over football, despite offers to join FC Nantes.
Rugby Career
- Club Career: Played exclusively for Biarritz Olympique, demonstrating loyalty to his club despite limited team success.
- International Career: Known for his contributions to the French national team, including memorable performances in the Five Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup.
Achievements
- Club:
- Vice-champion of France in 1991-92
- Finalist in the Challenge Yves du Manoir in 1989
- National:
- Vice-champion of the world in 1987
- Six-time Five Nations Championship winner
- Two-time Grand Slam winner
- Mediterranean Games winner in 1979 and 1983
Honors and Awards
- Multiple “Oscars du Midi Olympique” winner (1982, 1983, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)
- Trophée Micheline Ostermeyer in 2013
Rugby Administration
- Biarritz Olympique President: 1995-1998, 2008-2015
- LNR President: 1998-2008
- FFR Vice-president: 2012-2016
- Consultant and Advisor: Various roles within rugby governance and development
Business Ventures
- Thalassotherapy: Opened a center in Hendaye in 1991.
- Clothing Line: Launched “Quinze – Serge Blanco” with Jean-Jacques Lauby.
Serge Blanco’s impact on rugby extends beyond his playing days, with significant contributions to the sport’s administration and development. His legacy as a player and leader continues to inspire future generations.