Richard Loe

Richard Loe
Full name Richard Wyllie Loe
Date of birth 6 April 1960
Place of birth Christchurch, New Zealand
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 116 kg (18 st 4 lb)
School Christchurch Boys' High School
Notable relative(s) Alex Wyllie (uncle)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Prop
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
ChCh HSOB
correct as of 7 May 2007.
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1995-1996
1985-1994
1982-1984
1980-1981		 Canterbury
Waikato
Marlborough
Canterbury
correct as of 1 November 2006.
Super Rugby
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1997
1996		 Crusaders
Chiefs
correct as of 1 November 2006.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1987-1995 New Zealand 49 (25)
correct as of 1 November 2006.

Richard Wyllie Loe (born 6 April 1960 in Christchurch, New Zealand) was a renowned All Black prop forward, with a reputation for thuggery on the pitch - often referred to as 'The Enforcer' by his team mates. He is currently a sports broadcaster on BSport, Radio Live and SKY Sport.

Domestic career

A product of Christchurch Boys' High School and its 1st XV captained by Steve Hansen, Loe played for a number of age-grade Canterbury sides. Originally pursuing a career with the stock agency firm, Pyne Gould Guinness, Loe played for the Glenmark and HSOB clubs, making his senior debut for the former at the age of 17. Loe began his first-class career with Canterbury in 1980, before playing for Marlborough and, for the majority of his career, Waikato from 1985 - 1994, before returning to Canterbury for the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Loe also played in France with RC Vichy from 1990-1992. Loe was known as a dirty player and was banned for 26 weeks for eye gouging in a match against Otago.

International career

Loe's international debut came in 1986 at the age of 26 against the French Barbarians. Loe represented New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup on three occasions. He was part of the 1987 Rugby World Cup victorious All Black squad, playing in two tests versus Italy and Argentina. He then played on the All Black team that lost to Australia in the 1991 Rugby World Cup semi-final. He was also part of the side that lost the 1995 Rugby World Cup final 12-15 to South Africa in a game where the All Blacks had been favorites. His last test was in 1995, when, aged 35, he was part of the New Zealand side that beat France 37 - 12.

Summary

He played 49 Tests between 1987 and 1995, as part of a front row that included Sean Fitzpatrick. His test record consisted of 37 wins, 2 draws, and 10 losses. In addition, he played 29 non-test matches for the All Blacks, 3 as captain.

Anecdotes

Peter Fitzsimmons tells an amusing anecdote about Loe being 'sorted out' by a player in an Australian State side shortly after Loe broke Paul Carozza's nose after he had scored a try. Loe was immediately 'king-hit' and sought a rest by lying on the ground purportedly injured. After what apparently seemed like a lengthy delay, during which the offending player, Tomasi Tamanivalu, was pleading for an early shower, the first words Loe spoke were directed to the referee, "Don't send him off!".


Throughout his career he received numerous bans for striking, eye gouging and other foul play.

Post Rugby

Following retirement, Loe retired to his farm and became a sports columnist in New Zealand. He also does touch line commentary for Sky TV in New Zealand and is an occasional guest on the rugby TV show re-Union. This jars with people who love rugby but loathe some of the thugs that are tolerated by the various governing bodies.

He does a 'Farming and Footy' show called On The Field on sport radio station LiveSPORT which is replayed on Radio Live (and LiveSPORT) the following day.

Loe has three children: Jessica Loe, Olivia Loe and Duke Loe.

See also

External links

On the Field Radio Show on Bsport (http://www.bsport.co.nz/FarmingOntheField/tabid/264/language/en-NZ/Default.aspx)