Rugby League coaching legend John Kear passes away aged 71

The Rugby League world has been rocked following the passing of coaching icon-turned pundit, John Kear.

Kear, who was a commentator on Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR, died suddenly after returning home from the trip to London.

A legend of the sport, the 71-year-old was a popular figure across all aspects of the game, and was the head coach of arguably the biggest shock Challenge Cup win, when Sheffield Eagles overcame Wigan Warriors at Wembley in 1998.

His second Cup win was another upset, when Hull FC defeated Leeds Rhinos at Murrayfield in 2005.

In a career that spanned over 700 matches, Kear also held coaching roles at Wakefield Trinity, Batley Bulldogs, Bradford Bulls and Widnes Vikings.

At international level, he was the head coach of England, France and Wales, as well as the Great Britain academy back in 1996.

A boyhood Castleford Tigers fan, as a player he represented the club over 100 times, though surprisingly never joined the club in a coaching capacity.

Rugby League mourns passing of John Kear

Nigel Wood OBE, Chair of the RFL said: “On behalf of the whole sport, our thoughts and condolences are with John’s wife Dawn, his family, and with those who played or worked alongside him over the last 50 years.

“Having had a 10-year career at Castleford, he found his passion for coaching which saw him oversee more than 700 games across a career which included coaching England in the 2000 World Cup, Wales in the 2017 and 2021 World Cup, oversaw Challenge Cup victories at Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC, and most recently took Batley Bulldogs to the Championship Grand Final.

“But John was also an excellent broadcast summariser with a great turn of phrase and an undiluted love and positivity for the sport.

“It was always a pleasure to see John, at Wakefield Trinity games most recently, as he was full of energy and enthusiasm for the game he clearly loved and had given him so much, in the same way he had given back.”

Dave Woods, the Sky Sports commentator who became a close personal friend of Kear’s through their commentary partnership for the BBC, said:

“This is devastating news for all of us, but especially for Dawn and for all of John’s family, and I’m sure the whole sport will join me in sending our deepest condolences.

“He was a great Rugby League man, the most passionate and eloquent of evangelists for the sport, who relished the opportunity to do that on radio and television for the BBC.

“But I’ll remember him as simply the best of blokes, humble, friendly, cheerful, always smiling, always happy to talk to anyone, especially about Rugby League.”

Everyone at Serious About Rugby League sends their condolences to John Kear’s family and friends at this sad time.