Former All Black and NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs has died, aged 52.

Hobbs had been suffering from leukemia, and his family issued a statement saying, “Our family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support we have received over the last week and in particular, express our gratitude to all the staff at Wellington Hospital that were involved in Jock’s care.”

Hobbs played 39 games as a flanker for the All Blacks including 21 tests, and captained the side in 16 of those games.

He was also chairman of the NZRU and was instrumental in bringing last year’s Rugby World Cup to New Zealand’s shores.

More to follow…