RIP Jock Hobbs

After a long and brave battle with a rare form of cancer, Jock Hobbs finally succumbed today.

Born in Christchurch on 15 February 1960, Jock Hobbs featured prominently for Canterbury in the 1980s as flanker and played in 21 tests for the All Blacks between 1983 and 1986 - 4 of them as captain. He could have played more but was one of many players suspended after taking part in the 1986 Cavaliers tour to South Africa.

He also battled concussion and it was this that unfortunately also ruled him out of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 and ended his career around the same time.

After hanging up his rugby boots, Jock Hobbs went into rugby administration and became chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union. During his reign - the longest as chairman of rugby's national body - Jock led New Zealand's ultimately successful bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup in late 2005. Later that year, he was voted New Zealander of the Year by the Herald. His services to the game were acknowledged in 2011 at the IRB and Steinlager Rugby Awards.

Jock Hobbs stood down as chairman of the NZRU to battle a chronic form of leukeamia. Hobbs was first diagnosed in 2005 and underwent six months of chemotherapy in 2010. The toll of the treatment was clear to see in his first public appearances during the Rugby World Cup.

Hobbs' most poignant moment will probably be the moment he handed Richie McCaw his 100th cap during the All Blacks' pool game against France. It truly symbolised the passing of one legend to another and the gesture could not be more emotional and memorable.

Jock Hobbs will be truly missed. A great father, husband and New Zealander has been lost today.