MEDIA RELEASE - 10 December 2010

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) Chairman Jock Hobbs has resigned from both Boards of Directors effective immediately to focus on his health.
As announced in May, Jock was diagnosed with a form of Leukaemia which required chemotherapy treatment over a six month period. Soon after completing that treatment sudden and unexpected complications arose. Jock has now been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma which will require a more aggressive treatment regime over an extended period of time.

As a consequence of this new diagnosis and the required treatment, Jock has made the difficult decision to resign from both board roles.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said the NZRU wished Jock and his family the very best for this important stage of his treatment and acknowledged the enormous thanks owed to Jock for his service to rugby in his time as Chairman which began in 2002.

“Under Jock’s Chairmanship, the NZRU has enjoyed a period of sustained achievement on and off the field, while the game in New Zealand has also had to navigate a number of major challenges,” he said.

“During Jock’s tenure, New Zealand successfully hosted the 2005 DHL Lions Series, re-built our international reputation and relationships, won the bid to host Rugby World Cup 2011 and established the organisation and support necessary to run the Tournament, set new benchmarks in national team success, and managed major transitional changes in Domestic and International Rugby.

“Jock has been instrumental in many of these achievements and developments and the Board and indeed everyone associated with the NZRU are grateful for his commitment and service.”
The NZRU Board has elected Mike Eagle Chairman.

Brian Roche is currently acting Chair of Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd and the NZRU and Government will discuss the Chairmanship role in due course.

Media interviews:

Steve Tew and Mike Eagle will be available for comments to media at the NZRU offices in Wellington at 12.30pm today. Both will also be available via tele-conference for those media who cannot be in Wellington at 1.00pm. To join this tele-conference, please dial: 083032. Pin: 490826#

Jock Hobbs will not be available for media interviews and both the NZRU and RNZ 2011 ask media to respect his and the Hobbs family’s privacy at this time.

For further information, please contact:
Brian Finn
NZRU Communications Manager
T: 04 494 0765
M: 027 229 5380
E: brian.finn@nzrugby.co.nz