The champion coach and veteran commentator had only just returned home when he died suddenly.

John Kear has sadly died aged 71.

Rugby league legend and veteran broadcaster John Kear has died aged 71.

The former England, France and Wales coach died suddenly on Sunday after returning from calling the Wigan Warriors’ victory at Wembley in the Challenge Cup, a tournament he won twice.

The champion former coach took charge of nine clubs across a career that spanned more than 700 games, including the Sheffield Eagles’ shock 1998 Challenge Cup victory, before doing it again with Hull FC in 2005.

Kear played 133 games as an outside back for Castleford between 1978 and 1988 before starting a coaching career that only ended last year.

In a statement, the Rugby Football League said: “The RFL today pays tribute to John Kear, who died suddenly on Sunday afternoon returning north from Wembley, having been part of the BBC’s commentary team for the Betfred Challenge Cup finals the previous day.”

Hull coach John Kear celebrates with captain Richard Swain after the Challenge Cup final in 2005.Hull coach John Kear celebrates with captain Richard Swain after the Challenge Cup final in 2005. Credit: David Rogers/Getty Images

In a tribute of his own, RFL chair Nigel Wood said Kear made a significant contribution to the game.

“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,” Wood said.

“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.”

SOURCE: https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/rugby-league-legend-john-kear-dies-hours-after-finishing-challenge-cup-broadcast-c-22368422