Brian Lochore

Sir Brian James Lochore (3 September 1940 – 3 August 2019) was a New Zealand rugby union player and coach who represented and captained the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. He played at number 8 and lock, as well as captaining the side 46 times (18 of those tests).

Early life 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. for eight years from 2003 to 2011, an independent charitable trust that partners with private landowners to protect natural and cultural heritage sites on their land with covenants.

Lochore 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 Queen's Birthday 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); the Order of New Zealand is the country's highest honour.

In his biography, Sir Colin Meads wrote: "at the peak of his career, from 1966 through to 1969, he was everything I would want in a number 8. He spared himself, not an ounce working away in the tight-loose, covering, winning us great lineout ball in the deep, backing and filling and playing his part in the rolling drive-and-feed. As a captain he could be self-effacing, for this was the very nature of the man".

Lochore's funeral was held on 8 August at Memorial Park, Masterton, with around 2,500 people attending. He is buried in Masterton's Riverside Cemetery.