Not many people achieve what Jock Hobbs did in his life, sadly cut short by cancer.
In the 52 years he had to make his mark, he did so with integrity and will forever be a legend in New Zealand and in rugby.
A lot has been written about this man in the few days since his passing. What more could be said?
All that has been expressed about this great family man, rugby administrator, lawyer and player rings true.
As a player he reached the goal many young boys in New Zealand dream of. He became an All Black and, in the four years he donned the black jersey, he played 21 tests and scored 16 points.
Hobbs, as a player and person, appeared to be someone you could rely on in a tough situation, someone who would knuckle down and get the job done when everyone else shrugged their shoulders as if to say, "This is too hard to deal with."
The coaches and selectors must have seen his leadership potential during his short playing career and asked him to step up as captain when Andy Dalton was unavailable. He would continue to step up for rugby throughout his life. Repeated concussions forced him to retire just before the inaugural Rugby World Cup but who would have thought he'd play a key role in bringing that same tournament to New Zealand 24 years later?
At the time, retiring from the All Blacks must have been a gut-wrenching decision to make.
Retirement can leave many players these days at a loose end, but Hobbs, who was not only an All Black but a qualified lawyer, made his most indelible mark after his playing years. His personality, professional skills and character helped Hobbs establish a strong career outside of rugby although his passion for the game did not wane. We all know by now how significant this man was to New Zealand rugby.
In 1995, he saved the All Blacks from becoming a wandering professional team with nowhere to call home. Considering how significant this achievement was, how strange it seems that he was dumped as a New Zealand Rugby Union councillor a year later.
Many in these circumstances would turn their backs on the game after such treatment, but Hobbs was loyal to the game and once again stepped up when New Zealand lost the sub-hosting rights to the 2003 tournament.
Known as a man who could rebuild the NZRU's tattered reputation, he was instated as chairman from 2002 to 2010, becoming the longest-serving chairman in NZRU history. In his time at the helm, he managed to re-earn respect for the NZRU, especially through winning the rights to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup and by being a hard but fair leader. I had the honour of meeting him briefly at the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2006 and the intense honesty portrayed through his eyes, cheeky smile, and demeanour made us all feel respected and included in the rugby family.
It was his ability to interact with all walks of life that won over the IRB in the end. Hobbs' strategy of combining a politician, Pinetree and a Polynesian to win the 2011 hosting rights worked, and the rest is history. Although saddened by his passing, I am thankful he got to experience the rewards of all his hard work during this phase of his life. The tournament was a huge success, the All Blacks won, and it was fitting he got to present McCaw and Muliaina with their 100th test caps. Hobbs struck me as a reasoned man, but one who rose to the challenge.
Unfortunately, the battle with leukaemia was too big even for Jock; nonetheless he showed everyone that he was optimistic and a battler to the very end.
Rest in peace, Jock. Thank you for all you've done for rugby and New Zealand.
