Rugby: Jock Hobbs confirms cancer

Jock Hobbs was first diagnosed with leukaemia about four years ago. File photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand Rugby Union chairman and former All Black Jock Hobbs has cancer.

Hobbs, who was instrumental in bringing the 2011 Rugby World Cup to New Zealand, confirmed yesterday that he was suffering from leukaemia.

"Yes, I have been diagnosed with leukaemia but it's in a chronic form, not acute," he told The Dominion Post.

"It's being monitored and I feel fine."

Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow.

Hobbs was first diagnosed about four years ago.

He was an All Black flanker from 1983 to 1986, playing 21 tests, and became captain at 24.

Tipped to become captain of the 1987 World Cup winning team, he was ruled out because of too many concussions.

He became a member of the NZRU council in 1995, was removed in 1996 and reinstated as chairman in 2002.

In 2006 he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

- NZPA