The New Zealand rugby union chairman and former All Blacks captain Jock Hobbs has resigned to undergo treatment for leukaemia.
Hobbs was elected chairman of the NZRU in 2002 and played a key role in winning the right to host the world cup here in 2011.
Hobbs has also stood down as chair Rugby New Zealand 2011, the organisation responsible for runnig the world cup.
He is also credited with keeping many key All Blacks, including Sean Fitzpatrick, with the New Zealand Rugby Union when the Kerry Packer-owned World Rugby Corporation was trying to start its own competition.
Hobbs revealed in September last year he was suffering the illness.
Mike Eagle has been appointed acting chairman of the NZRU Board.
