He scored 37 tries in his 63 Tests and is regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest wingers.
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It is considered one of the most iconic images of rugby union: the freeze frame of Lomu trampling over Mike Catt to score the first of his four tries in the 1995 world cup semi-final.
“We played a pre-season game in 1996, in Greymouth of all places, against the Highlanders”, he said.
“It’s incredible what he did in that ’95 World Cup”. He single handedly changed the game of rugby. There have been big players in the game but it was the pace and the skill of Jonah and he was 20-years-old in 1995.
His death was confirmed Wednesday by a doctor.
“Jonah arrived to play for Cardiff Blues in 2005”. He also joined the IRB Hall of Fame four years later.
Indeed, Lomu was the record try-scorer in Rugby World Cup history with a total of 15 until this summer’s event and, despite his enormous 18st frame, he could run a remarkable 100 metres in 11 seconds in his prime. It was a revolution for the game.
“He took rugby to a whole new level”.
FORMER All Blacks teammate Josh Kronfeld and ex-New Zealand coach Graham Henry have led the tributes to Jonah Lomu, who has died aged 40.
Lomu’s passing was felt most deeply in his home country.
Others were quick to acknowledge the significant contribution of Lomu to the game.
Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies tweeted: “Can’t believe that Jonah Lomu has passed away”. “If it wasn’t for that, I would have been on the plane, it was that close”, Lomu said. He was an fantastic rugby player and it’s very hard not to think of him when you’re watching the All Blacks play. The man who changed the game forever. “That is what made him such a star, he delivered on the field, but also off the field as well”.
Moon added: “I played against him in Ieuan Evans’s testimonial at Stradey Park in Llanelli, and on a number of occasions I have been in the same function and dinners as him and every time you meet him he was just the ideal gentleman”.
After his rugby career he became a UNICEF New Zealand ambassador and spokesman for the charity Kidney Kids NZ.
“He was very quiet off the pitch, a very shy person”.
It is not immediately clear if his ill health contributed to his sudden death, but what is clear is the rugby world has suffered a great loss.
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“We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family…”
