Bill Osborne

For the Australian rules footballer, see Bill Osborne (Australian footballer). For the American football player, see Bill Osborn.

Bill Osborne
Birth nameWilliam Michael Osborne
Date of birth (1955-04-24) 24 April 1955 (age 69)
Place of birthWhanganui, New Zealand
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight82 kg (181 lb)
SchoolWanganui High School
Notable relative(s)Glen Osborne (nephew)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Second five-eighth, centre
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1973–84 Wanganui 72 (59)
1985-86 Waikato 10 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1974 NZ Colts 4 (0)
1975–82 New Zealand 16 (0)
1975-85 New Zealand Māori 8 (4)

William Michael Osborne (born 24 April 1955) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A second five-eighth and centre, Osborne represented Wanganui and Waikato at a provincial level. Started his club career with the local Kaierau Rugby Union Club in Wanganui. He was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, between 1975 and 1982, playing 48 matches including 16 internationals.[1]

Post rugby playing career

After retiring from playing rugby Osborne has had a successful business career, including:[2]

He also served on the New Zealand Maori Rugby board. In 2017 he was elected vice-president of New Zealand Rugby Union, later ascending to the president's position.[3] In 2022 he was appointed Chair of the Chiefs Rugby board.[4]

Osborne Taonga

In 2021 a new challenge trophy named after Osborne was announced for the Heartland Championship teams, to follow similar rules to the Ranfurly Shield.[5]

References

  1. ^ Luxford, Bob. "Bill Osborne". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  2. ^ "From All Black to business supremo". 3 September 2023.
  3. ^ "The winning strategies of New Zealand's rugby All Blacks | McKinsey".
  4. ^ "Media Release | Bill Osborne Appointed Chair of Chiefs Rugby Board".
  5. ^ "Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship introduces the Bill Osborne Taonga and Ian Kirkpatrick Medal - RUGBY HEARTLAND". 11 November 2021.
Awards
Preceded by Tom French Memorial
Māori rugby union player of the year
1977 		Succeeded by
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