From Lannemezan to the French team, Pierre Berbizier left no one indifferent. Guided by his mentor Jacques Fouroux, the scrum half with a strong character made the best days of Lourdes, Agen and the French team.
A few years before the birth of the future best player in the world Antoine Dupont, Lannemezan welcomed another great scrum half, Pierre Berbizier. During his training in the Pyrenees club, he did not yet play in 9, he ruled the roost in the center, notably in the French junior team alongside Didier Codorniou.
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In 1976, he joined the big neighboring club, Lourdes, then left in 1985 for Agen. He led the club to the title of French champion in 1988, three years after his arrival in Lot-et-Garonne. A training center, he occupied all the positions in the back lines except that of winger at Lourdes, but he quickly realized that his future lay in the scrum. The future will prove him right since he will become one of the best 9s in the world.
Pierre Berbizier conquered the XV of France
One man was extremely important in his career, Jacques Fouroux. The leader of men Fouroux will fall under the spell of Berbizier’s strong character. A divisive boy who leaves no one indifferent, he is as demanding with his partners as with himself.
Number 9 strategist, he immediately understands game situations, has great game intelligence, he always and immediately makes the necessary decisions and pushes his backs to play hand in hand and cross the advantage line.
Under the leadership of Jacques Fouroux, he will reach the highest level in the world and will be captain of all his teams. The year he won the French championship title with Agen, he became captain of the Blues and was so on 13 occasions. In Blues, however, he must face competition from Jérôme Gallion.
The beginnings were difficult, public opinion preferred Gallion, those close to him were affected by criticism but, through tenacity and the unwavering support of Jacques Fouroux, he turned public opinion in his favor. In ten years with the French team, from 1981 to 1991, and 56 caps, he won six 5 Nations Tournaments including two Grand Slams in 1981 and 1987.
Jacques Fouroux, his mentor
From his first selection, he won the Grand Slam. He scored a try in the 1987 World Cup final against New Zealand after beating Australia in the semi-final, but France lost. Pierre Berbizier will never be world champion and he ended his career in 1991 with the Agen jersey still on his shoulders.
The number: 20
Pierre Berbizier saw the game before everyone else. His game of anticipation allowed him to score in 1986 against Scotland the fastest try for a Frenchman in a test match, in 20 seconds flat. Over his entire international career, he scored 7 tries and 28 points.
Did you know ?
Pierre Berbizier did not only shine in rugby. At the age of 14, he was a brown belt in judo and this helped him in his rugby career later. With judo, he developed his skills of anticipation and learned to gauge his opponent.
2023-09-14 14:40:32
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