Former New Zealand captain and World Cup-winning coach Sir Brian Lochore dies aged 78 

Former New Zealand captain and World Cup-winning coach Sir Brian Lochore has died aged 78.

Lochore was being treated for bowel cancer. His oldest son David Lochore said he died peacefully at home on Saturday.

‘To those from around New Zealand and the world who have sent messages, these have been enjoyed by our Dad and appreciated by us all,’ David Lochore said in a statement. ‘Dad led a life that was full and one which he was very proud of. Our hearts are breaking at a life we feel still had much to give.’

Lochore made 68 appearances for the All Blacks as a back rower or lock from 1964 to 1971, captaining the team in more than 40 of those games.

Under his leadership, in what was regarded as a golden era of New Zealand rugby, the All Blacks did not lose a test for almost five years.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen called Lochore ‘one of the most respected men in New Zealand, not only in rugby but all facets of New Zealand life as well as being hugely respected and held in high regard around the world.’

In his first series as captain Lochore led New Zealand to a 4-0 win over the British and Irish Lions in 1966.

He made 68 appearances and captained his country on 46 occasions between 1964 and 1971

He worked with Fred Allen, who won all of his 14 tests as coach, to produce a new running style of rugby that transformed the game. The style came to fruition in 1967 when the All Blacks were unbeaten in 24 matches on a tour to Britain, France and Canada.

The 1967 team included all-time greats such as Colin Meads, Kel Tremain, Waka Nathan, Ken Gray, Ian Kirkpatrick and Sid Going and is still regarded as the greatest All Blacks team of all-time. Lochore’s appointment as captain was a measure of his stature.

In his autobiography ‘Fred the Needle’, Allen said of Lochore: ‘I saw in him the qualities of leadership I had been looking for. I felt that, given the chance, he would become a great captain and I also knew that he would support me one hundred per cent in the type of rugby I intended to promote.’ 

Lochore retired on his return home. But when the All Blacks suffered a series of injuries during the 1971 series against the Lions he answered a call from the selectors to return. He famously left a note on the kitchen table of his Wairarapa farmhouse telling his wife Pam he had gone to Wellington to play in a test and would call soon.

He became an All Blacks selector in 1985 and coach in 1986 during a period of upheaval in New Zealand rugby when he coached the under-strength ‘Baby Blacks’ to an upset win over France.

He was coach the following year of the All Blacks team which won the first World Cup in New Zealand.