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| Image by Getty Images via @daylife |
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| Image by Getty Images via @daylife |
Jock had to retire from rugby in 1986 because of too many headknocks and concussion - a hazard for an openside flanker and No 7, something the legendary Rugby World Cup-winning No 7 Richie McCaw suffered from earlier in his career. Jock was denied Richie's experience in 1987, when the inaugural RWC was held, also in NZ.
However in 1995 Jock, as a Chairman of the NZ Rugby Union Board, had to negotiate the advent of professional rugby in New Zealand, the first in world rugby. Jock was successful in retaining the current All Blacks and those just underneath this level, and the new professional rugby competition, Super Rugby. Jock also helped to create a template for other rugby unions elsewhere in the world,including the English 'Rugby Union'. But in the process Jock saved All Black and international test rugby. Though in New Zealand it is the NZ Rugby Football Union that organises all rugby in this country - the clubs organise professional rugby in the UK and France.
A few years ago, Jock Hobbs and the NZ prime minister of the day, Helen Clark, were successful in having the 2011 Rugby World Cup awarded to New Zealand for the second time. The All Blacks won this tournament for the second time in NZ last year and rank as the current world champions.
But what was evident during the event and at the RWC presentation, was that Jock Hobbs was a very ill man. New Zealand television viewers became aware of this earlier in the year. Jock has had leukemia for a number of years, and especially so during the last two years of treatment. Jock died a few hours ago. New Zealand supporters of a variety of sporting codes will feel the loss of this great sportsperson - rugby player, captain and super-administrator. A great Kiwi sportsman!
I believe that Jock Hobbs was one of the great sporting administrators in world sport. RIP, Michael James "Jock" Bowie Hobbs!
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