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]
- group manager of New Zealand Post
- CEO of Quotable Value
- inaugural chair of 2degrees mobile
- chair of CoreLogic New Zealand
- director of Transpower New Zealand
- director of Rangitira Services Ltd
- director of Ports of Auckland Ltd
- serving on the Maori Economic Development Commission
- establishing Te Huarahi Tika Trust, a trust handling Maori interests in the radio spectrum
- chair of Hautaki Limited, the commercial arm of the Te Huarahi Tika Trust.
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
- ^ Luxford, Bob. "Bill Osborne". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ "From All Black to business supremo". 3 September 2023.
- ^ "The winning strategies of New Zealand's rugby All Blacks | McKinsey".
- ^ "Media Release | Bill Osborne Appointed Chair of Chiefs Rugby Board".
- ^ "Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship introduces the Bill Osborne Taonga and Ian Kirkpatrick Medal - RUGBY HEARTLAND". 11 November 2021.