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<H1>Sir Brian Lochore Profile at Speakers New Zealand</H1>
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Brian grew up in the Wairarapa with aspirations to be a jockey, however, this was not to be and instead, he played tennis and achieved a high ranking at National level before becoming an All Black.
He made his rugby debut as an 18 yr old flanker and was later selected for the 1963-64 British tour where he played in the English and Scottish Internationals.
Brian appeared in all four tests against the 1965 Springboks and after Wilson Whineray retired, he was named All Black captain for the series against the 1966 Lions. He captained NZ against Wales in 1989 and received the OBE for services to rugby following an unprecedented winning streak by the Allblacks. A few months later in South Africa 1970 the three test losses in this series, were the only international defeats suffered by the All Blacks under his leadership. He was also recalled by the selectors from semi-retirement to partner Colin Meads as a lock in the third test against 1971 Lions after a training injury to Peter Whiting.
Sports writer Terry McLean remarked upon Brian’s 'dignity' as a leader and wrote: "His physical fitness was inexhaustible, his anticipation was hawk-like, his resolution was impenetrable. Add this to his catching at the lineout, his total engagement in the tight-loose, his serviceability on defence and you have the picture of a great back-row forward. New Zealand has fielded none better that's for sure"
Brian has contributed much to rugby as coach, club president, NZRFU selector & coach of World Cup winners. He retired from coaching after winning the 1987 World Cup and was co-selector of the World XV that played three tests again the All Blacks in 1992 to mark the New Zealand union’s centenary.
He also played a crucial role in the 1995 World Cup as campaign manager and afterwards, worked with NZ union councillor Jock Hobbs to contract All Blacks in the face of the threat from the World Rugby Corporation.
In 1999 he became Sir Brian in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, for services to sport and the community. He was also appointed the Chairman of the Hillary Commission which later merged with the New Zealand Sports Foundation to become Sport & Recreation New Zealand.
As a coach, he achieved National coach status in 1985 for 3 years with highlights during this period including the Baby Blacks’ victory over France in 1986 and the famous All Black win in the 1987 inaugural World Cup.
Brian is a current All Black selector and was awarded the SPARC Leadership Award at the 2006 Halberg Sports Awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution to NZ sport both on the field and for his roles in coaching and sports administration.
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