Former French dual-code international rugby footballer
Robert Samatan
Samatan before the match against Germany in 1931.
Personal information
Full name
Robert Urban Jean Samatan
Born
(1909-04-16)April 16, 1909 Toulouse, France
Died
4 May 1986(1986-05-04) (aged 77) Antibes, France
Playing information
Height
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight
76 kg (12 st 0 lb)
Rugby league
Position
wing
Club
Years
Team
Pld
T
G
FG
P
1934–??
Lyon
RC Roanne XIII
6
Total
6
0
0
0
0
Representative
Years
Team
Pld
T
G
FG
P
1934–37
France
12
Rugby union
Position
Wing
Club
Years
Team
Pld
T
G
FG
P
1930–31
Agen
Representative
Years
Team
Pld
T
G
FG
P
1930–31
France
10
6
Coaching information
Representative
Years
Team
Gms
W
D
L
W%
1951–54
France
As of 16 January 2021
Robert Samatan, nicknamed Bob la Science (Toulouse, 16 April 1909 - Antibes, 4 May 1986) was a French rugby union and rugby league footballer.
He debuted for T.O.E.C (rugby union), 1.78m tall and weighing 76 kg at his debut, later he played at left wing for SU Agen (but also as right wing or number eight).
A very powerful player, he is the forerunner of the modern wingers' playing style. The first player to be inspired by his lively and alert technique was Jean Dauger, who played for Bayonne.
In March 1934, he was dismissed from SU Agen, and was part of the rugby league team of the "Galia's Boys" who made a memorable tour in England under the management and captainship of its creator Jean Galia. His status as a Pioneer (Galia's Boy) did not qualify him as a French International.
Eugène Ribère (Quillan) et Robert Samatan (Agen), during the kick-off of the 1931 match in Bordeaux.
Opting for rugby league, he integrated the Roanne XIII squad where Max Rousié and Jean Dauger played alongside him in 1938.
In 1951, he led the first French tour of a team sport (e.g. France national rugby league team) in Australia and New Zealand.
In his civil life, he worked as wholesaler in the food sector.
RobertSamatan, nicknamed Bob la Science (Toulouse, 16 April 1909 - Antibes, 4 May 1986) was a French rugby union and rugby league footballer. He debuted...
under Paul Ricard, was replaced by former international player RobertSamatan. Samatan renewed his trust in Henri Riu in the front row and occasionally...
France embarked on their first ever tour of Australasia, coached by RobertSamatan and led by the legendary chain-smoking fullback, Puig Aubert. Their...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
for the entire game. Lyon opened their scoring 17 minutes in via a RobertSamatan try, which was converted, followed by a drop kick from Henri Marty at...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
semi-professionalism of rugby league, playing for RC Roanne XIII alongside RobertSamatan and Max Rousié while working for the Devernois factory, not appreciating...
positions. To test the replacements for Rousié and French Cup finalists RobertSamatan (Lyon-Villeurbanne), François Noguères and Aimé Barde (XIII Catalan)...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
street parade. The French side was coached by former internationals RobertSamatan and Jean Duhau, and was captained by Puig Aubert. France had just claimed...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
Puig Aubert (born Robert Aubert Puig, 24 March 1925 – 3 June 1994), is often considered the best French rugby league footballer of all time. Over a 16-year...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
Under wily manager Claude Devernois, and with stars like Max Rousié, RobertSamatan and Jean Dauger, they became one of the dominant forces in the early...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
Christian Sabatie Pierre Sabatié Pierre Saboureau Teddy Sadaoui Jean Salat RobertSamatan Frederick Sana Jason Sands Justin Sangaré Henri Sanz Raphael Sarris...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
national rugby league team coaches Jean Galia (1937-49) Jean Duhau & RobertSamatan (1951-53) Jean Duhau & René Duffort (1954-60) Jep Lacoste (1964-72)...
Global Information
