Mauro Bergamasco (born 1 May 1979) is an Italian former rugby union player who last played for Zebre. He predominantly played as an open-side flanker, although his versatility meant that he had also played a number of international games on the wing, and started at scrum-half in an infamously error-prone performance. He was considered to be one of Italy's best players in his preferred position.
 Bergamasco playing for Stade Français, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | Mauro Bergamasco | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 1 May 1979 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Padova, Italy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 98 kg (15 st 6 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Arturo Bergamasco (father) Mirco Bergamasco (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Professional rugby union footballer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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His younger brother Mirco is also a professional rugby player. Both brothers are featured on the cover of the Italian version of the EA Sports game Rugby 08.
Early life
editMauro Bergamasco was born in Padua into a rugby family; his father Arturo gained four caps for the Italian national side between 1973 and 1978, whilst his brother, Mirco, has also won caps for the Italian national team. Bergamasco cites his father as the main reason for his interest in rugby: as a young boy, he would accompany his father to the training sessions of rugby club Selvazzano, the team Arturo coached.
Playing career
editBergamasco began his playing career with Petrarca Padova, before moving to Treviso.
In 2003, he moved to France with his younger brother to play for Stade Français, reportedly negotiating a contract for his brother Mirco without telling him.[1] The brothers went on to win two French championships.
Mauro joined RaboDirect Pro12 side, Aironi Rugby on 5 December 2011.[2]
International career
editHe made his international debut at the age of 19 against the Netherlands and soon became a key member of the Italian squad.
In 2003, Italy's coach John Kirwan deployed him as a winger, comparing his speed and physical stature with Jonah Lomu.[3] Bergamasco continued to insist that his best position was on the flank,[4] and later re-established himself in that position.
Bergamasco was banned for four weeks in 2007 for hitting Wales fly half Stephen Jones in a Six Nations match and again for 13 weeks after gouging the eyes of Lee Byrne in the corresponding fixture the following year.
For the 2009 Six Nations match against England, he was chosen to play at scrum-half thanks to three alternatives being injured,[5] but was substituted at half time after a shocking performance, regarded as one of the worst by a player in international rugby, in which his mistakes directly led to three England tries.[6] He was returned to his normal starting position at flanker for the following week's fixture against Ireland.[7]
He missed the 2011 Six Nations Championship due to an injury, but was called for the 2011 Churchill Cup to the experienced Italy A,[8] as a preparation for the upcoming 2011 Rugby World Cup. Italy A would finish in 3rd place.
Although not in the original Italian squad for the 2013 Six Nations Championship, he was called up by coach Jacques Brunel after Sergio Parisse was sent off, facing the possibility of at least a six-week ban for insulting a match official during a club game mid-6 Nations Championship.[9]
For the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he became the second player in history to have played five World Cups, reaching the Samoan Brian Lima.[10] He announced his retirement from professional rugby after Italy's final game of the tournament.[11]
Honours
editReferences
edit- ^ "Rawr Data Player Profile: Mauro and Mirco Bergamasco". 15 August 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
- ^ "RaboDirectPRO12 : Teams : Aironi Rugby : Mauro Bergamasco joins Aironi". Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
- ^ rbs6nations, Italian 'Lomu' wings in, 13 Feb 2003
- ^ "Italy leave a Bergamasco brother on the bench". The Scotsman. 22 August 2003. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
- ^ [1] Bergamasco handed scrum-half role
- ^ Standley, James (7 February 2009). "England 36–11 Italy". BBC News Sport. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
- ^ "Bergamasco moved back to flanker". BBC News Sport. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
- ^ Mauro Bergamasco Called for the 2011 Churchill Cup
- ^ "Six Nations 2013: Sergio Parisse set to miss Wales match". BBC News Sport. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
- ^ Roberto Parretta (26 September 2015). "Rugby, Coppa del Mondo: Bergamasco entrata record, 5 Mondiali come Lima". Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ rugbybworldcup.com. "Mauro Bergamasco ends playing career with appeal to Italian authorities". Retrieved 9 November 2017.
- ^ "CHAMPION DES CHAMPIONS DU TOP 14: STADE FRANÇAIS 2004". rmcsport.bfmtv.com. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Top 14 de rugby: ce soir, le Stade Français affronte Clermont en finale". ladepeche.fr. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
External links
edit- RBS 6 Nations profile
- "IRB RWC 2003" Mauro Bergamasco profile
- "Mauro the Jewel" The Observer 9 March 2003
- "Welsh Rugby Union: Meet The Italians"
- "Stade Français website" Mauro Bergamasco Club Profile – in French
- "Ireland.com" Italian Team Profile
- Mauro Bergamasco at ESPNscrum