New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs has stood down from the role in order to receive treatment for leukaemia.Mr Hobbs will also no longer serve as chairman of Rugby World Cup 2011, 16 months out from the tournament's kick-off.Announcing Mr Hobb's
New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs has stood down from the role in order to receive treatment for leukaemia.
Mr Hobbs will also no longer serve as chairman of Rugby World Cup 2011, 16 months out from the tournament’s kick-off.
Announcing Mr Hobb’s resignation today, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said Mike Eagle had been elected as acting chairman.
RNZ 2011 deputy chairman Brian Roche will act as chairman until the next full meeting of the RNZ 2011 board later this month.
Mr Hobbs was first involved with the board of the rugby union in 1995 and has served as chairman since 2002, when he was brought in following the loss of the World Cup hosting rights at that time.
Mr Hobbs, 50, played 21 tests as an All Black between 1983 and 1986, including four as captain.
The NZRU recently unveiled its worst financial loss ever, and Mr Hobbs was also a director and former chief executive of Strategic Finance, which went into receivership in March, owing $417 million.
Mr Hobbs offered to step down from the role of chairman when the company went under, but the board rejected his offer.
