New Zealand Rugby
Former All Blacks prop Drake dies
NZPA
December 13, 2008
New Zealand'd John Drake, Sean Fitzpatrick and Steve McDowell prepare to pack down for a scrum during the 1987 Rugby World Cup semi-final match against Wales at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on June 14, 1987.
Drake (left) packs down with sean Fitzpatrick and Steve McDowell during the 1987 Rugby World Cup semi-final with Wales © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: John Drake
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Former All Blacks forward John Drake, a member of the New Zealand team that won the 1987 Rugby World Cup, died today in Mt Maunganui at the age of 49.

A family friend at his residence confirmed Drake's death to NZPA tonight but declined to give any details or comment on a report that the former footballer turned television commentator had collapsed and died at the side of his swimming pool.

Drake, a tight-head prop represented New Zealand between 1985 and 1987 and played 12 matches including eight tests. He was a key member of the World Cup-winning squad, playing in five of the six matches.

"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 New Zealand Rugby Union Chairman Jock Hobbs.

"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."

Born on January 22, 1959, he was educated at Auckland Grammar School, but played his first club rugby in Dunedin and turned out for Otago Juniors. When he returned to Auckland, Drake played for the under-23 and B provincial teams before becoming a regular member of the senior side.

He went to France where he played three seasons and it was during the third, 1985-86, that he was recalled to join the All Blacks touring Argentina. Returning to Auckland in 1986, he regained his place in the Auckland team and was selected for the All Blacks' tour of France where he played at tighthead in both tests.

He retired at the end of 1987 at the conclusion of the World Cup season.

In recent years he was a highly respected television commentator and newspaper columnis

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