10 Dec 2010

Hobbs resigns from NZRU

11:54 am on 10 December 2010

The New Zealand Rugby Union Chairman Jock Hobbs has resigned to focus on his health.

Hobbs took leave in May after being diagnosed with a form of leukaemia, he's now been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which will require a more aggressive treatment regime over an extended period of time.

Hobbs was also chairman of the New Zealand Rugby World Cup organising committee.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew says 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.

Tew says Hobbs was instrumental in a number of achievements including New Zealand successfully hosting the 2005 Lions Series, re-built their international reputation and relationships, won the bid to host Rugby World Cup 2011 and managed major transitional changes in Domestic and International Rugby.

The NZRU Board has elected Mike Eagle as Chairman.