The South Sydney Rabbitohs have honored former player John Berne, who died at the age of 72 on Monday, by recounting his notable career in both rugby league and rugby union.
Berne, who played 73 times for the Rabbitohs over four seasons, made his sole international appearance for Australia in rugby union in 1975. He began his career in rugby league, playing for Souths' Jersey Flegg team. Despite initial recommendations to play for a lower-tier club due to inexperience, Berne joined the Randwick rugby union club, where he played 41 games and won two premierships.
His club performances led to a call-up for the Wallabies' 1975 tour. Berne played one match against Scotland but was unable to continue the tour after being injured.
Following this, Berne transitioned to rugby league, signing with the Rabbitohs. He debuted in first grade in 1976 and spent four years with the club, scoring nine tries and three goals. In 1980, he moved to Easts for one season, making 14 appearances, before joining Cronulla. He played 26 games for Cronulla, scoring nine tries, until his initial retirement in 1983. Arthur Beeson, the coach for Easts, coaxed him out of retirement for one more season in 1985.
Berne's sons also pursued rugby careers. His eldest son, Shaun, played 63 first-grade games for Randwick before moving to Bath in England and later returning to Randwick for their premiership-winning season in 2004. The younger son, Michael, played two seasons as a utility back for the Rabbitohs in 2002 and 2003, scoring a debut try in his only first-grade game. He then played for the Salford Reds in England for a season before returning to Randwick, where he played 57 games.