Β The South Sydney Rabbitohs have paid a touching tribute to former player John Berne, who died aged 72 on Monday by detailing his legendary career.
The former union and league player made his lone appearance for Australia in rugby union in 1975.
On the Rabbitohs website they explained, he grew up playing rugby league, and attempted to join Randwick rugby union club but they recommended he played for the Colts due to his lack of experience at just 18 years of age.
Not satisified with that opion, Berne opted to play rugby league with Souths’ Jersey Flegg where he played seven third grade games.
He eventually got his shot with Randwick switching to rugby union where he would play 41 games for the club winning two titles with the club.
His performances at club level earned him a call up to the Wallabies on their tour in 1975 where he made his only appearance against Scotland, where he was brutally kicked by the opposition forward and could sadly play no more part in the tour.
John Berne played 73 times for the Rabbitohs across his four years at the club
He made the switch to Rugby League after a tour with the Wallabies where he made his only international appearance against Scotland in rugby union
John then decided to switch codes while he was the peak of his powers, signing a contract with Bunnies.
Berne made his first grade debut for the side in 1976 agtainst St George in their opening round clash alongside another debutant, Terry Fahey.
He would go on to spend four years at the club, making a total of 73 appearances, scoring nine tries and adding three goals.
In 1980 he then made the move to Easts, where spent a singular season, making 14 appearances.
After that loan season with Easts, he joined Cronulla, where he played until his initial retirement in 1983.
For Cronulla, he made 26 appearances and scored nine tries adding to his already impressive tally across his career.
He was eventually coaxed out of retirement by Easts coach Arthur Beeson for one more season in 1985.
Both of John’s sons also went on to play rugby, his oldest, Shaun started his career at Randwick where he played 63 first grade games.
He then went on to play for Bath in England in 2001, before returning to the ‘Galloping Greens’ in 2004 when they were premiers.
His youngest son Michael was a Rabbitohs junior and played two seasons with the side as a utility back across the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
Michael scored a debut try when he played his only first grade game against North Queensland.
He left Australia to play for the Salford Reds for one season before also returning to Randwick where he played 57 games.Β
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