 Drake (left) helped NZ overcome Wales in the 1987 World Cup semis
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World Cup-winning former All Blacks prop John Drake has died suddenly at the aged of 49.
Drake played 12 matches including eight Tests for New Zealand as a tighthead prop between 1985 and 1987.
He featured in the New Zealand team which won the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, and was lately employed as a TV commentator and newspaper columnist.
A family spokesman confirmed that he collapsed beside the swimming pool of his Auckland home.
He did not specify the cause of death.
Drake made his debut for the All Blacks on their 1985 tour of Argentina, playing in the 56-6 win over Mar del Plata.
In the 1987 World Cup in Australia, he featured in five of New Zealand's six matches, scoring a try in the semi-final victory against Wales and playing in the final against France.
He retired at the end of the 1987 season when he was only 28.
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