John Drake was a regular contributor to Sport Unleashed and his wry humour and forthright attitude will be sorely missed. RIP Drakey xx
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New Zealand Rugby Union Chairman Jock Hobbs said the NZRU and the entire rugby community was deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden death of former All Blacks prop and rugby commentator John Drake.
Drake passed away at his home in Mount Mauganui yesterday, aged 49.
“Our immediate thoughts are with his wife Cathy and their three children, who have lost a husband and father much too early in life. On behalf of all the rugby community I would like to extend my deepest sympathies,” said Mr Hobbs.
Drake played 12 games for the All Blacks including eight Tests, and was a member of the record-setting Auckland and All Blacks teams of the mid-1980s. Making his All Blacks debut on a tour to Argentina in 1985, he made his Test debut against France in 1986 and went on to form part of the Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks team of 1987, playing in all but the opening pool match.
Following his rugby career, Drake continued to contribute to the game through scrum coaching and more recently as a television commentator with SKY Television and as a columnist and radio rugby analyst.
“His loss will be keenly felt by his former team mates at club, provincial and international level, and by his colleagues at SKY Television and in the media. He was an astute commentator on the game whose immense knowledge and wry wit will be greatly missed.”
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