(Written by Azul: September 27, 2025)
I haven’t been able to attend rugby matches for a while, but during that time I acquired a valuable jersey, so I’d like to introduce it.
This time, I’m introducing the jersey actually worn in matches by Serge Blanco, the fullback for the French national team who excelled at RWC 1987 and RWC 1991.
(Photo: His autobiography)
About Serge Blanco:
Born August 31, 1958, in Venezuela. After moving to France with his family in 1960, he began playing rugby. His club was Biarritz Olympique, based in the southern French port city of Biarritz near the Spanish border. He played for this club throughout his career.
Serge Blanco is now 67 years old.
He holds some of the most distinguished records in French rugby.
As a French international, he earned 93 caps between 1980 and 1991. He was a finalist in the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup and won the Five Nations Championship six times (1981, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989), achieving the Grand Slam twice. (His 38 tries remain a national record). At the time, Blanco earned the nickname “The King.” He was considered the Pele(:King of Soccer) of rugby.
A jersey actually worn by soccer superstar Maradona in a historic match would come with a certificate of authenticity, and I imagine the price would be far beyond what I could afford.
This jersey is said to be the one worn during the 1987 Five Nations Rugby match where France defeated England.
Reference: On March 15, 1986, France defeated England 29-10 in an official Five Nations Rugby match, securing their place as the Northern Hemisphere champion in the inaugural Rugby World Cup.
This jersey doesn’t come with a certificate of authenticity, but I recall that replica jerseys didn’t exist back then. Trusting this claim, I won it on Yahoo! Auctions for approximately ¥100,000 (equivalent to $700 USD).
Hmm… I still can’t believe that jersey, worn by Blanco himself during his prime in that historic match, is right here in front of me. Thinking that Blanco’s DNA is soaked into the fabric makes me reluctant to wash it. Every single stain on this jersey holds value.
However, sports memorabilia in Japan doesn’t fetch high prices compared to auctions in Europe and America. A jersey like this for just ¥100,000. Conversely, if sports memorabilia is auctioned in Japan, it could be a chance to get it cheaply.
I’m looking forward to the next RWC 2027.
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Stop the war.
Peace to Ukraine
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