Abdelatif Benazzi | |
Birth Date: | 20 August 1968 |
Birth Place: | Oujda, Morocco |
Weight: | 112kg (247lb) |
Position: | Number eight |
Amatteam1: | Warringah Rugby Club |
Years1: | 1988–1989 |
Years2: | 1989–2001 |
Years3: | 2001–2003 |
Clubs1: | Cahors |
Clubs2: | Agen |
Clubs3: | Saracens |
Repyears1: | 1990 |
Repyears2: | 1990–2001 |
Repteam1: | Morocco |
Repteam2: | France |
Repcaps1: | 1 |
Repcaps2: | 78 |
Reppoints1: | 0 |
Reppoints2: | 45 |
Abdelatif Benazzi (ar|عبد اللطيف بن عزي; born 20 August 1968) is a French-Moroccan rugby union player who represented both Morocco and France.[1] He played as a lock or back row forward.
Abdel Benazzi started out with his homeland Morocco, but his ability was quickly spotted by France's selectors.[1] He won his first France cap in 1990 against Australia and went on to make 78 appearances and score nine tries for Les Bleus.[2] He played in three World Cups and was a member of the France team that reached the 1999 Rugby World Cup final. He was twice a Grand Slam winner and led Les Bleus in the 1997 tournament. His last international appearance was on 7 April 2001 against England.[2]
He finished his club career with Saracens in England, retiring in 2003 ahead of his 35th birthday.