Richard Loe
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (July 2006) |
| Birth name | Richard Wyllie Loe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
Early career
A product of Christchurch Boys' High School and its 1st XV captained by Steve Hansen, Loe represented provincial Age Group sides. Originally pursuing a career with stock Agency firm, Pyne Gould Guinness, Loe also played club rugby for the Glenmark club and HSOB clubs. Loe began his provincial career for Canterbury from 1980–81, then Marlborough (1982-84), Waikato in the first division of New Zealand's National Provincial Championship from 1985–94, before returning to Canterbury from 1995-96. http://www.celebspeakers.com/richard-loe/
His international debut came in 1986 at the age of 26 versus the French Barbarians in France in a 26-12 win.
He was banned for 26 weeks for eye gouging (Waikato v Otago)
Rugby World Cup
Loe represented New Zealand in three rugby world cups in 1987, 1991, and 1995. 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 came on 18 November 1995 in Paris, when aged 35, he was part of the All Black side that beat the French 37-12.
Late career
Loe played two seasons in France (RC Vichy 1990-1992).
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!".
In another story, a New Zealand man who had been faxing letters to the All Blacks hotel criticizing the team and in particular Loe after a loss got the shock of his life when his phone rang and there was Loe on the other end of the line. "You got a problem", he said. "No, no problem!", replied the man![citation needed]
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)