All Black captain Richie McCaw says former captain Jock Hobbs was one of the main inspirations for the team during last year's Rugby World Cup.
Mr Hobbs chaired the New Zealand Rugby Union for eight years from 2002, before stepping down in order to undergo treatment for leukaemia. He died on Tuesday at the age of 52.
Jock Hobbs was NZRU chair when it made its successful bid for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Richie McCaw, who is training with the Crusaders, on Wednesday added his voice to tributes being paid to Mr Hobbs.
"He spoke to us before we went into the quarter finals, and said 'I may not have been the best All Black ever but I know I was someone that went out and gave it absolutely everything, every time'.
"He shared some of the challenges he had (in his battle with leukaemia), and it sort of put a bit of context around what we were going to do."
During the tournament, Mr Hobbs presented the All Black captain with a cap to mark his 100th test match, a moment he said was one of the most special of his life.
Richie McCaw also said Mr Hobbs remained very involved with the All Blacks, even after becoming the chairman of the Rugby Union.
He said he joined in with tackling practice while the team was touring England and ended up with a cracked rib. He said Mr Hobbs did not let on about his injury until two months later.
Praise from Blackadder
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder praised Jock Hobbs for helping to keep players in New Zealand when a rival professional league tried to lure them away.
The former All Black took time out on Wednesday from a training session to pay tribute to Mr Hobbs.
He says he was instrumental in convincing him and a number of key players to stay with the Rugby Union in 1995, rather than play for a rival league being set up by Australian magnate Kerry Packer.
Todd Blackadder says Jock Hobbs was a real inspiration for the All Blacks at the last world cup.
Integrity and humility
Former All Black coach Sir Graham Henry says Mr Hobbs brought people together with his outstanding leadership, passion and love of rugby.
"He was the sort of guy who gave his all to everything he did, and he did it with very high personal standards, high integrity and a lot of humility."
Sir Graham says Mr Hobbs had a great connection with the All Black players, and his presence at the World Cup, despite the personal difficulties he was facing, meant a lot to them.
Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully says rugby would not be the professional sport it is today without the influence Mr Hobbs brought at a critical time.
He says Mr Hobbs was a great rugby player, sports administrator and a thoroughly decent person who helped shape the future of rugby.
Canterbury stalwart
Jock Hobbs played 21 tests for the All Blacks between 1983 and 1986 and was a stalwart for Canterbury.
A Canterbury rugby team-mate in the 1980s, Don Hayes, says Mr Hobbs was always a passionate and determined man.
He says that was evident when he took a lead role in successfully convincing key All Blacks not to join Kerry Packer's professional league.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew says Jock Hobbs will be missed as a New Zealander and a friend.
"In my lifetime I can't think of anyone that's done more for rugby, and therefore for the country, than Jock has. He's been needed a couple of times, and when he's been needed he stood up and he's delivered. There's no doubt we'll miss him as a passionate New Zealand and a great mate."
Mr Hobbs 52, died in Wellington on Tuesday. He is survived by his wife Nicola and their four children.
