Jock Hobbs seriously ill

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in NZ

 

Michael “Jock” Hobbs the former All Blacks flanker and NZRU administrator is seriously ill.  NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew has issued a statement: “Jock is currently in hospital and in a serious condition. All our thoughts and support are with Jock and his family who have asked that media please respect their privacy at this time.”

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.

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.

In 2005 Hobbs led New Zealand’s successful bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup and in the same year was named the Herald’s New Zealander of the year. Jock is the longest serving Chairman in NZRU history and his service to the game was recognized at the 2011 IRB and Steinlager Rugby awards where he received the Vernon Pugh award for Distinguished service and the Steinlager Salver award respectively.

In 2010 he stood down from his administrative positions in order to battle leukaemia.

All Blacks invade Paris

Posted on Oct 27, 2011 in NZ

Adding insult to injury? After winning the Rugby World Cup against France in a game many commentators thought the All Blacks were second best, the NZRU have decided to open their first offshore office in Paris.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) will open its first offshore office in Paris by the end of 2011, focused on securing sponsorship for the All Blacks – one of the top 10 sporting brands in the world.

The office, a joint venture between the NZRU and Avenport Investment Group, aims to attract new sponsors and other potential commercial partners in the lucrative French market.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew says that while overseas sponsorship agencies had been working for the NZRU for several years, this was the first office presence offshore.

“We see this as the next step for the All Blacks brand if we want to be seen to take this market seriously.

“France is the biggest market for the All Blacks outside of New Zealand.  Their rugby fans are big supporters of the team.”

Avenport Investment Group chairman Eric Series says his company will bring local expertise in the French market as well as a network of business connections.

“We want to build on the existing partnership we have with the All Blacks and assist the NZRU with commercial opportunities in this part of the world.”

Avenport Investment Group recently helped the NZRU raise NZ$90,000 for the Canterbury earthquake appeal fund through an auction in Paris of rugby memorabilia

Bryan Williams elected NZRU President, Ian MacRae elected Vice President, Rob Fisher made Life Member

Posted on Apr 21, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Former All Black Bryan Williams MBE today succeeded John Sturgeon as the New Zealand Rugby Union President.

Mr Williams, who was elected NZRU Vice President in 2009, was nominated by the Auckland Rugby Football Union (ARFU) and elected President at the NZRU Annual General Meeting in Wellington today. 

Williams, who takes up his appointment immediately, is a Vice President of the New Zealand Barbarians and past President of his beloved Ponsonby Club, where he is also a life member and committee member. Williams played 113 games for the All Blacks between 1970 and 1978, and later went on to coach at the Provincial, Franchise and international levels as well as serving as a director of the ARFU.

Succeeding Mr Williams as Vice President is Ian MacRae. Nominated by the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Football Union, Mr MacRae had a lengthy representative and All Blacks career and went on to serve as an administrator and coach at both the club and representative level.

In welcoming the new appointments, NZRU Chairman Mike Eagle paid tribute to Mr Sturgeon for his service to New Zealand Rugby over the past four years and in his contributions at the national level.

“John succeeded Andy Leslie in the role and has been a strong ambassador for New Zealand rugby both at home and abroad. As a proud West Coaster, John provided us with a direct and very personal link to the tragic events at Pike River on the West Coast when the All Blacks were touring the UK last November,” said Mr Eagle.

Meanwhile, Rob Fisher was made a Life Member of the NZRU at today’s AGM.

Mr Fisher, who was nominated by the ARFU, has had an extensive and distinguished administrative career in rugby. He was Chairman of the ARFU from 1990 to 1995 and was elected as a Councillor of the NZRU in 1992. He was elected Deputy Chairman in 1994 and to the Chairmanship in 1997, serving in that role until 2000. He remained on the NZRU Board until 2002.

Mr Fisher was one of the NZRU’s two delegates on the International Rugby Board from 1994 and became Deputy Chairman of the IRB in 1996 until his retirement from the IRB in 2002. Since 2006, he has served on the NZRU Appeal Council.

His involvement in rugby included the successful campaign to defeat the challenge of World Rugby Corporation in 1995 and negotiating player contracts, commercial and television contracts as rugby turned professional in the mid-1990s.

Currently a member of the Eden Park Trust and Eden Park Redevelopment Board, he has served on the Eden Park Board of Control for 22 years. Mr Fisher joins the other Life Members Eddie Tonks, Richie Guy, Peter Burke, Ron Don, Sir Colin Meads and Sir Fred Allen.

Ngati Toa and New Zealand Rugby Union enter new era of relationship with Ka Mate

Posted on Mar 17, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira Incorporated, the body representing Ngati Toa Rangatira, and the New Zealand Rugby Union have today signed a new agreement which formalises the century-old relationship built on the performance of Ka Mate by the All Blacks.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by both parties today at Takapūwāhia Marae in Porirua, confirms the support of Ngati Toa for the continuing performance by the All Blacks of Ka Mate, the special relationship that exists between Ngati Toa and the NZRU, and a shared desire to work together.

While the detailed terms of the document remain confidential, it provides certainty to the NZRU regarding its on-going use of Ka Mate, while at the same time giving assurances to Ngati Toa that the use of the haka will be respectful.

Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira Incorporated Chairman, Riki Wineera says: “We have always supported the All Blacks performance of Ka Mate and take great pride in the fact that through this association, Ka Mate is an important part of New Zealand’s cultural history. But above all of this, Ka Mate is a taonga of Ngati Toa Rangatira and we as an iwi have an obligation to protect it. One of the iwi’s long standing concern is that Ka Mate has been used in a belittling and culturally offensive way.

“Fortunately the NZRU respects this position and has agreed to work with us to ensure that the integrity of Ka Mate is protected. This landmark occasion signals the beginning of a formal and long term relationship where we will cooperate to ensure Ka Mate is respected and its use is appropriate. The iwi does not wish to restrict the use of the haka Ka Mate by any New Zealand representative sports teams who wished to perform it or on other appropriate occasions.”

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said the signing of the agreement was a significant step for the NZRU in its relationship with Ngati Toa, and its 100-year association with Te Rauparaha’s haka.

“The All Blacks have been performing Ka Mate for more than100 years and it has a very special place in the team’s history and culture.

“We have been privileged to be able to perform Ka Mate with the blessing of Ngati Toa Rangatira but it is great to give that understanding some status, to recognise the significance of Ka Mate and the special relationship we share with Ngati Toa,” Mr Tew said.

Today’s signing ceremony was preceded by NZRU representatives including Chairman Mike Eagle, New Zealand Maori Rugby Board Chairman Wayne Peters and CEO Steve Tew, being formally welcomed on to Takapūwāhia, Ngati Toa’s marae in Porirua.

Sonny Bill swaps his boots for gloves

Posted on Dec 15, 2010 in Rugby News

Canterbury, Crusaders and All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams will switch his rugby boots for boxing gloves in a bout approved under his agreement with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Williams will fight Scott Lewis in Newcastle, Australia, on January 29 next year, it was announced today.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said: “It was agreed with Sonny Bill as part of his contract with the NZRU that he would be able to undertake professional boxing fights and we are comfortable with the timing of this event.”

Mr Sorensen added that Williams had experience as a professional boxer prior to signing with New Zealand rugby and was working with a professional boxing team to prepare for his fight, the third of his professional boxing career.

“We are comfortable that his boxing training regime and the bout itself won’t impact on his preparations for the Super Rugby season with the Crusaders and he will re–join the Crusaders squad for pre–season training again after the fight.”