- Jock Hobbs
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Jock Hobbs Full name Michael James Bowie Hobbs Date of birth 15 February 1960 Place of birth Christchurch, New Zealand Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Weight 92 kg (14 st 7 lb) School Christ's College Occupation(s) Amateur rugby union player Rugby union career Playing career Position Flanker New Zealand No. 836 Provincial/State sides Years Club / team Caps (points) 1981 - 1987 Canterbury National team(s) Years Club / team Caps (points) 1983–1986 New Zealand 21 (16) Michael James "Jock" Bowie Hobbs, CNZM (born 15 February 1960) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who was an All Blacks flanker who played in 21 tests between 1983 and 1986, with four tests as captain. In recent years he has been prominent in rugby administration. Between 2002 and 2010 he was chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union before standing down due to illness.[1]
Jock Hobbs was born in Christchurch. He played in the first XV at Christ's College in Christchurch, and was a regular first choice for Canterbury during from the 1981 season onwards, playing in the failed Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato. His test debut came in 1983 against the British and Irish Lions, where he was successor to Graham Mourie. Others that were possible replacements were Bruce Middleton, and Auckland captain at the time, Alwyn Harvey, but Hobbs played so well against the Lions that he was an automatic selection as All Blacks number seven for the next few seasons.
Hobbs was All Black captain on the short tour of Fiji late in 1984 when Andy Dalton was unavailable, and in the tour of Argentina in 1985 when Dalton was again unavailable. He took part in the 1986 Cavaliers tour to South Africa, before retiring in 1987 after a succession of concussions.
Hobbs led New Zealand's successful bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the All Blacks, and is the longest serving Chairman in NZRU history. His service to the game was recognized at the 2011 IRB awards where he received the Vernon Pugh award for Distinguished service. He was also an executive director of failed finance company Strategic Finance, which was placed in receivership in March 2010. The receiver of which has found some questionable transactions.[2] He was Chairman of the NZRU when it had its worst financial result ever in 2010.[3]
He has taken a break from his administrative positions in order to battle leukaemia.[4]
References
- ^ "Rugby: NZRU keen to keep Hobbs' experience". The New Zealand Herald. 7 May 2010. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10643358. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/4617984/Strategic-Finance-receiver-questions-transactions
- ^ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10640049
- ^ Watt, Emily (2009-09-19). "Jock Hobbs battling cancer". Stuff.co.nz. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/2881551/Jock-Hobbs-battling-cancer. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
External links
Forwards Anderson · Ashworth · Crichton · Dalton (c) · Haden · Hobbs · Knight · McDowell · Mexted · Mills · Pierce · Reid · Shaw · Shelford, F · Shelford, W · Whetton, A · Whetton, GBacks Coach Categories:- 1960 births
- New Zealand international rugby union players
- Canterbury rugby union players
- Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- Living people
- New Zealand rugby union players
- New Zealand Rugby Football Union officials
- Rugby union flankers
- University of Canterbury alumni
- Former students of Christ's College, Canterbury
- IRB Awards winners
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