One of the greatest players ever to grace the game of rugby union, New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu unexpectedly passed away during the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The 40-year-old former All Blacks winger had been suffering from long-term health issues that initially forced the intimidating winger into retirement in 2002 due to a rare kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, whilst a later kidney transplant in 2004 was rejected by his body and the organ stopped functioning in 2011.
A national hero and fans’ favourite all around the world, Lomu became a talisman for his national side and managed to score 37 tries in 63 games for the All Blacks – including boasting the record for most tries scored at a Rugby World Cup with 15 tries in 11 matches that was this year equalled by South African winger Bryan Habana.
And following Lomu’s shocking death, an overwhelming amount of tributes have poured in from all over the world as former teammates, staff, current rugby stars and fans from every corner of the globe described the impact that a wonderful player and human being has had on their lives and hearts.
Sir Graham Henry on Jonah Lomu: “It is just so sad, I saw him at the World Cup and he looked so well. It’s just a hell of a shock.” #RIPLomu — nzherald (@nzherald) November” class=”redactor-linkify-object”>https://twitter.com/nzherald/status/66679103166546… 18, 2015
NZR CEO Steve Tew: “….Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world.” — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November” class=”redactor-linkify-object”>https://twitter.com/AllBlacks/status/6667735779291… 18, 2015
As reported by the Guardian, Lomu’s rise to fame not only propelled him into stardom but also catapulted rugby union as a sport to a global audience of the likes it had never previously experienced.
“What it meant for rugby, that World Cup changed everything,” Lomu told the Guardian in August.
“When I look at it now I understand my impact more. When they show clips of me on the TV, my sons turn and look at me.
“They have grown up as the sons of Jonah and it’s a daunting task trying to explain to them what I achieved.
“I don’t have any regrets. Everything that I achieved in rugby I cherished. I was in a World Cup final in South Africa against South Africa when a country became one. As Francois Pienaar [the Springboks captain] said: ‘It was not 80,000 in the stadium, it was 44 million.’
I still can’t believe the sad news. Love & thoughts go out to Jonahs family #RIPJonah — Dan Carter (@DanCarter) November” class=”redactor-linkify-object”>https://twitter.com/DanCarter/status/6667809861227… 18, 2015
Thoughts and Prayers going out to the Lomu Family ??? — keven_mealamu (@kevenmealamu) November” class=”redactor-linkify-object”>https://twitter.com/kevenmealamu/status/6667711676… 18, 2015
Following his early retirement due to illness the Auckland-born star continued to act as a leading role model for people all around the world and, in particular, has been accredited with being an inspiration to many young boys and girls of Pacific Island heritage who faced similar challenges as Lomu’s own tough upbringing in Tonga could have on another day lead him down a different path.
And his ambassadorial role for UNICEF New Zealand whilst also being a patron of the charity Kidney Kidz NZ have only further cemented his name amongst the finest sportsmen and women ever to grace the earth.
I am so, so devastated to hear of the passing away of @JONAHTALILOMU The greatest superstar and just a fabulous human being. Deeply saddened — Jonny Wilkinson (@JonnyWilkinson) November” class=”redactor-linkify-object”>https://twitter.com/JonnyWilkinson/status/66677591… 18, 2015
Rip Jonah…You inspired a generation of rugby players around the world. Thank you for so much ! @JONAHTALILOMU #greatman #legend — Thierry Dusautoir (@TitiDusautoir) November” class=”redactor-linkify-object”>https://twitter.com/TitiDusautoir/status/666779016… 18, 2015
