Hobbs' condition worsens

Jock Hobbs. Photo / Getty Images

Friends of former New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs are hopeful the former All Black captain will recover from his latest illness to play a part at next year's Rugby World Cup.

But his condition has worsened and he faces a battle to get back to full health.

The 50-year-old Hobbs stepped aside from his roles as chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union and chairman of Rugby NZ 2011 in May for six months of leukaemia therapy, but he suffered unexpected complications and has now resigned.