Serge Blanco - French Flair

Serge Blanco was one of the greatest rugby players ever. He always seemed to be in the right place and the ball always bounced right for him, but that was his genius.
A master of the chip and chase, solid on defense and with an all round good kicking game. He was the complete rugby player.
Enjoy and thanks for watching!

[@coconutgrovemusicnz]

Massive respect from New Zealand, home of The All Blacks. This man could play. Intuitive, free spirited, elusive, a great reader of the game and flamboyant to the hilt with it all. Very poised balanced runner. Right up there for me in terms of awe inspiring to watch flair even as a die hard All Black man that I am. Credit where credit is due. Blessed to have seen the French Flair in the golden era of Serge Blanco's time. In the 90's they went away from their free spirited game to more a power based game. I think that flair was compromised some what. Personally, I think he just backed himself and knew what he was capable of and against world class players. Much respect from NZ brother. Thank you for some amazing memories of this great game both of our countries love and enjoy.

[@rockyboy220]

As an Irish teenager I was in awe of Serge Blanco...and the while flair..esprit of French rugby of the time

[@mu0nt893]

Some people may not remember, but the french flair was possible only because of the tremendous work done by some unknown (for most of the people) French tough players, such as Rives, Cholley, Paparemborde, Spanghero, Palmié, Skrela etc etc ... Most of their opponents were scared to play against those wild animals, and the backliners were playing at full potential with this kind of pack ...

[@areyaouank29]

Mu0nT I do remember 😁

[@jpc7118]

You forgot Champ and his 2+m (6'6+)...

[@DesertChemistry1979]

That try against Wales in 89 where he juggles the ball always sticks in my mind. What a try and what a player!

[@rangidalglish4743]

I’m from New Zealand. This guy toured NZ in my youth and I watched the inaugural rugby WC. What a champion player. Flair and daring mixed with determination. My favourite player all time. Scoring tries from the ends of the earth.

[@jadawin10]

I just realized how much the game of the French has slowed down over the past three decades. There is hope with our new 2020 team.

[@garyclarke1244]

He had everything: a dummy, sometimes double dummy, to die for, the best kick and chase...eat your heart out Gareth Edwards! The sidestep, the vision, Olympic pace. Not to mention his fitness and stamina. I think his support play was second to none. Man could tackle like a lion too. And he performed at his best against the world's best. Hail Serge

[@jerryoshea3116]

I'm no expert on Rugby,but Serge Blanco had it all..

[@andremaube5069]

Basically, the best fullback in history of rugby (and still for a very long time)❤️

[@danielhowe7362]

Growing up through my teens and enjoying just watching Rugby Union for what it is, Blanco was one of the stars that lit up my delight in the sport! As I'm now appreciating the sport more deeply, Blanco''s sheer electrifying speed and craft were awesome

[@keybuckley]

The best I've ever seen

[@mafoomatty7494]

Incredible player

[@MrRugbylane]

French Rugby R.I.P Its heartbreaking to see these slim fast skilful & clever players from the past. French rugby's pursuit of muscle has been a cul de sac.

[@jadawin10]

Je suis d'accord. Since then, we are in awe with the Chabal, Picamoles or Bastareau. We can see what our rugby has become...

[@erebepalatine3061]

Blanco, Genius.

[@adam872]

Serge Blanco is one of my all time favourite players. His counter attack from fullback was at times absolutely scintillating. My favourite try of his was at Ballymore in 1990 (a great test match in a lot of other respects too) and he ran the length of the field, beating some pretty rapid blokes with pace, deception and footwork. What a player.

[@Fuzcapp]

Yeah - the last time (I think) that Campo ever played fullback. Never ever ever in a test should Campo have been a fullback. He missed Blanco badly in that try.

[@wobblertv8083]

Legend has it he had a night on the champagne and cigars on the eve of the match ......Needless to say no effect .What a great player 👍

[@josecosta1100]

Serge Blanco o PELÉ do Rugby! Isso diz tudo sobre esse genial atleta!

[@bamblindavid9975]

magique,on se regaler a voir c est matchs,quel joueur ,et quelle équipe !!!!!!!

[@williamdmason9375]

🇫🇷The Serge Blanco The Artful Dodger .The Heights of Mont Blanc and just a viewing a spectacular grace and majesty the One And Only The White Ghost...because you only see a glimmer of him 🇫🇷

[@r.1france254]

Du French Flair ... Serge Blanco le meilleur XV de tous les temps suivi par Sadourny !!! Ces équipes de France non pro qui m ont fait rêver des années 80 - 90 , jusqu'à début 2000 !!!

[@patelpelat4658]

Isn;t that called chauvinism ?

[@r.1france254]

@@patelpelat4658 Absolutely not chauvinism, just i compare différents French teams in time ... i can say i love England game as i love NZ all black teams of end of 90 s ... I love just Brautiful Rugby wherever where he can come from !!! Last tournament of 6 nations show us a very young French team with full of talents. I hope she can follow the teams of 80 s until start of 2000 !!!

[@ziggy9785]

Mon idole

[@jonathanrhys4365]

Gareth Edwards who blanco had it all he was in a different class joy to watch

[@davidhegron8519]

many thx for the vdo, quite rare footage from biarritz team in the 80's. i never found anything like it in french actually. Blanco's speed everytime he gets the ball is stunning, he feels the game like noone. makes it look simple. great speed and elegance on top of it.

[@CONANSPLIT]

my all time favorit-tnx

[@wobblertv8083]

Him and JPR the joint best .

[@zabaleta66]

Glorious!!

[@Fuzcapp]

How blessed were France to have Blanco and Sella playing in the same era. Blanco was my favourite international fullback of all time, until Christian Cullen came along. Still in my top 3 (Cullen, Blanco, Roger Gould).

[@zabaleta66]

Fuz Capp For me, it's still a toss up between Blanco and Cullen. Andre Joubert was always great to watch too.

[@3xTuesday]

zabaleta Andy Irvine was another that was great to watch and could read rugby like no other. Blanco and Cullen were sublime. Joubert was class.

[@Fuzcapp]

@@zabaleta66 Actually, i got a serve from someone for not including JPR Williams - so yes, JPR as well.

[@toiletsmithy3630]

@@zabaleta66 I'll break that Tossup, Cullen had Double his striking rate

[@alfonsoabelenda9063]

His drops were epic, and he always were in the right place.

[@pufdadie]

the greatest ever I think his greatest solo try was againt Queensland where he fielded the ball in the in goal and scored?

[@FromAgen]

Against Queensland or against Wallabies ?

[@pufdadie]

@@FromAgen well both

[@flix6490]

The best....

[@garyclarke1244]

...and his goal kicking Peace Out

[@AlexBrown-xp7mt]

Blanco, Cullen, JPR. Those are the top 3

[@ggousier]

When French knew how to play rugby.

[@brucemacintosh7355]

you're right, this team was very talented with Blanco, Jean Pierre Rives, Robert Paparemborde, Guy Laporte and without forgetting all the others.

[@herralexugo]

and now Top 14 killed "le 15 de france"

[@philippem4400]

Blanco-Sella Menel...... la BSM des années 80/90

[@duncanidaho9492]

tu oublies lagisquet hihihiihi

[@borcemiovski]

I have his original coat signed original from french rugby federation his personal coat from 1980 given to him against south Africa match in 1980.how much would is the value if I want to sold it

[@r.1france254]

MAGIC BLANCO

[@garyclarke1244]

Forgot to mention his lines of running and handling .....

[@jean-claudefaure3441]

Puissant rapide adroit et une foulée à la MJ Pérec. Bref le roi du périphérique...et c'est un Bayonnais qui le dit!

[@Fuzcapp]

I love Blanco (and Sella and Rives) but 11:21 ... It's still a knock on. Love the acceleration of Blanco at 12:57 to 12:58 after the dummy. Brilliant. Blanco is number 2 as number 15 for me behind Christian Cullen.

[@hugocanepamuskett3924]

Hugo Porta?

[@jadawin10]

La couleur existait sur les chaines françaises depuis la fin des années 60. C'est quoi ces extraits de match des 80 et 90 en noir et blanc ?

[@brunolopez9457]

Les videos, les images vieillissent mal si elles ne sont pas stockées dans des conditions très précises.

[@Aman-pl6om]

can u do John smit?

[@jantaljaard835]

He was often compared to Pele

[@ibanalbandos9236]

C'est koi le non des musique au début

[@Fuzcapp]

Can you do Jean Pierre Rives?

[@SB-or7cx]

it depends on what you mean about this...

[@scottiramage317]

I would go on about his greatness - but when you have form for punching fellow players when their backs are turned, that's all you will be remembered for

[@alanbstard4]

bloody music

[@geraldmooney6461]

Blanco was magnifique! The music was asinine.

[@Ricardo-dz9xf]

1:24 Biarritz vs Mont de Marsan. What league is that?

[@RealRugby]

Not too sure to be honest...

[@VinceratedR]

That's the French Championship.

[@borislunka241]

This is what we call the top 14. French Championship. And actually thos 2 teams are not anymore in the top 14.

[@zabaleta66]

Boris Lunka Really? Biarritz even? That is sad.

[@Ricardo-dz9xf]

thank you

[@lorenzoreyes1692]

can anybody tell the name of the intro song please?

[@gillessotty8156]

blanco Sella Codorniou 80!!!!

[@andrewwestwood9739]

Knock on 11:22?

[@elsapenaloza6317]

French flair? no guys is the Venezuelan flair in fact the great Serge born in Caracas Venezuela

[@TheAvenger62]

French mother from Biarritz. Moved to France when he was 2 years old. Was formed and played rugby for Biarritz Olympique all of is club career. So sorry, it's definitely French flair.

[@josegilvando6728]

É verdade! Show!

[@strapski3385]

Gonna agree. The best fullback ever.. C Cullen was. close.. F Steward the current English FB is the best under the high ball… I’m English and had to pick the best ever my vote is Blanco

[@bo2web]

Now Blanco is weighting one tonne !

[@patelpelat4658]

I would say two ...

[@SB-or7cx]

still runs faster than you...

[@robertwilliamson8711]

Showed what could be done in sport while smoking 40 cigarettes a day!

[@fredbeach2085]

Not bad for a guy who smoked 40 Galoises a day and for them that don`t know they`re the equivalent of Capstan full strength cigarettes.

[@bikesnippets]

Annoying music .. . legendary player

[@jeanpierregriffier5590]

En 1991 y avait pas la couleur C est pour cacher la couleur de serge blanco ou quoi

[@tuttyusbuttyus]

Love that he's Afro-Venezualan.

[@gchelem]

@Henri Eche Levy Loeza his mother was basque and his father venezualan.

[@gchelem]

@Henri Eche Levy Loeza Off course he is, 100%. Frenchness transcends the colour of your skin or your parents nationality, it is a universal concept. everyone can be French. I am French too by the way.

[@gchelem]

@Henri Eche Levy Loezaoui completement, j'apportais juste une clarification sur l'oringine de ses parents, rien d'autre.

[@FromAgen]

@@gchelem Sa mère était une française de Biarritz. Il n'a pas connu son père de Caracas au Venezuela.

[@gchelem]

@@FromAgen Biarritz c'est dans le pays Basque que je sache. Enfin je crois, disons que c'est ce que ma mère qui est aussi Biarrote, m'a toujours dit!

[@DAGATHire]

Ahhh good times indeed, That said, Rugby is faster smoother and more accurate theses days. Blanco and his ilk from that generation, as good as they were against their peers of that generation, they would get destroyed these days. Utterly and completely wrecked. It's a different world now, and a different version of rugby. One decent tackle from a current gen player on these guys would leave them in a heap and off the pitch inside the first min. It does us no good to live in the past. Rugby is better now, it's more streamlined faster and just as skillful. that's a fact. Pity the french have decided that it's all about huge foreigners and huge money €€€ France have allowed the clubs to destroy the national team. The FRU should be ashamed of themselves. The generation who killed French international rugby and replaced it with foreign bought players.

[@patelpelat4658]

Compare what is compareable, if the training was equal I doubt they would be ,

[@isitwasit8756]

I disagree ... the game in Blanco era was faster as in ball in play .. the scrum today takes an absolute age at times .. defenses replicate rugby league resulting in many more ruck situations with pod after pod working the fringes of rucks hitting it up time and again.. backs are enormous and the space isn't there anymore .. today it's not unusual to see a team today go through 30 to 40 phases of play and only make 20 or so metres territory.. today's game seems based more around the collision with enormous backs looking for contact rather than attacking the space on the field of play ..

[@MrDemiCola]

You couldn't be more wrong. Franck Mesnel was a physical freak of nature who could jump his own height from a standing start. Phillipe Sella was one of the strongest, most physical centres I've ever seen. Against the All Blacks at Eden Park he played like a number 7 and yet had the speed and acceleration of a wing. Then you had Serge Blanco - he could run the length of the field without losing any pace - as they say, you can't teach speed. I think these three guys were once in a lifetime players who would have excelled in the modern era.

[@2011pmacz]

What a complete load of bollocks. Ok, you want to put Blanco in today's game; well I'll counter that with taking a current full back and put him against the French at their peak. Sure he's got the bulk and the fitness, because he's a professional but the game isn't faster, as someone says below, what with all the set plays taking a lifetime. A current full back would end up tired playing in the 80's, without the time to recover for interminable scrums, lenghty line-outs, video replays et al and without his big bulky mates of today; and he'd get shown up and destroyed by the pace, the vision and the invention of Blanco, Sella, Saint Andre. All IMHO of course!

[@2011pmacz]

Completely agree and you know what - watching these clips, I'm thinking it was better. Not always - look further back and it was beer-monster rugby but by the 80's and 90's they were getting fitter and a bit beefier but without being the muscle bound titans of today. Today's backs are all like the 80's forwards!

[@tuttyusbuttyus]

So many forward passes lol