John Edward Berne (born 14 March 1954)[2] is a rugby union and rugby league player who represented Australia in rugby union.[3] Berne, a centre, claimed one international rugby cap for Australia. In rugby league, Berne represented South Sydney Rabbitohs from 1976 to 1979, Eastern Suburbs Roosters in 1980 and 1985, and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks from 1981 to 1983 also primarily as a centre.[4][5]
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | John Edward Berne[1] 14 March 1954[1] County Antrim, Northern Ireland.[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Rugby union career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Biography
Berne was born on 14 March 1954 in Anderstown, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland to Gerald and Mary Berne.[2][3] He has four brothers. In 1961, his family relocated to Australia. Berne attended school at Marist Brothers, Pagewood, where he was introduced to the Rugby League.[3][5] Throughout middle school, he represented both the Marist midweek and South Sydney in the Under 15 Years S G Ball Competition.[6] He then went on to play for MBP as a senior in school.[3]
In 1972, when he was 18-years old,[5] he presented himself to the Randwick Club, but was advised to spend a year with the Colts due to his lack of experience.[3] Instead, he went back to join the South Sydney Jersey Flegg Team.[6] He also played some Third Grade matches for the Souths as an amateur rugby player.[3][4]
Personal life
In 1978, Berne married Anne Hickman. Anne is the grand-niece of the legendary Rugby League Test centre Dave Brown. The couple have two sons, and one daughter. Both sons have played First Grade with Randwick.[3][5]