NZRU chairman Hobbs steps down

New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs has stepped down for health reasons.

Chief executive Steve Tew on Friday said Hobbs had been diagnosed with leukemia which required immediate treatment. Hobbs also stepped down as chairman of Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd, the organization behind the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Board member Mike Eagle has been elected acting chairman and deputy chairman Brian Roche would act as chairman of RNZ 2011 Ltd until a full board meeting later this month.

Hobbs' future would be discussed at the next meeting of the rugby union board on May 27, Tew said in a statement.