| Birth name | William Michael Osborne | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 24 April 1955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Whanganui, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 82 kg (181 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Wanganui High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Glen Osborne (nephew) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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]
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]
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]