Brian Lochore

Lore & Background

Born in Masterton on 3 September 1940, Lochore was the son of Alma Joyce Lochore (née Wyeth) and James Denniston Lochore. He was first educated at Opaki Primary School and then Wairarapa College where he was a member of the 1st XV in 1956. In 1963, Lochore married Pamela Lucy Young. He played domestic rugby for Masterton and Wairarapa, debuting for both in 1959. After playing six tests, including all four tests of the 1965 South African tour of New Zealand, he was selected as captain by coach Fred Allen for the Lions tour in 1966. He continued as captain until his retirement from playing in 1970 (although at the selectors request he returned to play one game in 1971 for an injury-hit All Black side). Lochore was also a Wairarapa tennis representative from 1957 to 1961 and then 1979 to 1980. He coached Masterton before moving on to coach Wairarapa-Bush in 1980. Lochore became an All Black selector in 1983 before taking the side to victory in the inaugural World Cup during his coaching tenure from 1985 to 1987. Lochore continued to be involved in All Black rugby, firstly as the team's campaign manager in the 1995 World Cup, and later as one of the All Black selectors. Lochore was also an advocate for conservation and was Chair of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust for eight years from 2003 to 2011. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for services to rugby football, in the 1970 Queen's Birthday Honours. In the 1999 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM), for services to sport and the community. The Lochore Cup, contested in New Zealand's domestic competition, the Heartland Championship, is named in his honour. On Waitangi Day (6 February) 2007, Lochore was inducted into the Order of New Zealand as an additional member (ONZ). In June 2019, Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew announced Lochore had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. Lochore died on 3 August that year, aged 78. His funeral was held on 8 August at Memorial Park, Masterton, with around 2,500 people attending. He is buried in Masterton's Riverside Cemetery.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the grass of Eden Park in 1985, mirroring the damp mood of a squad that had forgotten how to win. Brian Lochore stood before his men, not with shouting, but with a quiet intensity that commanded silence. He spoke of the black jersey not as a uniform, but as a burden and a privilege. 'We are not just playing for ourselves,' he told them, his voice cutting through the storm. In that moment, the fear vanished, replaced by a singular purpose: to reclaim the legacy of the giants who came before.

Reader's Guide

Brian Lochore played at number 8 and lock, not as a centre or flanker. His head coaching tenure was from 1985 to 1987, not until 1992; after 1987 he served as campaign manager (1995 World Cup) and selector. His playing career spanned from 1959 to 1970 (with one game in 1971), so the late 1960s are correct but the early 1970s are not a full career period.

Did You Know?

• Lochore was also a Wairarapa tennis representative from 1957 to 1961 and then 1979 to 1980.
• He was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in the 1999 New Year Honours.
• The Lochore Cup in New Zealand's Heartland Championship is named in his honour.
• He was inducted into the Order of New Zealand (ONZ) on Waitangi Day 2007.