Brian Lochore is one of New Zealand rugby’s most revered figures, for his record as an All Blacks captain and coach.
Wirarapa born and bred, Lochore represented the All Blacks in 68 matches, including 24 tests, from 1964-71, captaining the side on 18 occasions, winning 15 of them.
Extremely athletic and fit and bear-like in stature, Lochore was a colossus for the All Blacks at number eight and second-row. As a captain he led by example with a self-effacing and dignified leadership style.
He coached at Masterton and Wairarapa Bush before taking over as All Blacks coach in 1985. Lochore set about reconnecting the All Blacks team to the nation, and two years later the whole country rejoiced as the inaugural Rugby World Cup was won with victory over France in Auckland.
Lochore also held the role of All Black selector and was campaign manager when the All Blacks played an outstanding brand of rugby at RWC 1995.
You can’t go and ask the public to support you: you have to win them over. You have to demonstrate that they are going to be proud of you, and that’s the only way you can actually win their support. - Brian Lochore