But according to Sale skipper and fellow former All Black Dan Braid, he never lost sight of his humble origins, which only served to heighten Lomu’s popularity. “I’ve got scar tissue in my hamstring from where he ran over me at a game at Canberra Stadium”, Gregan said.
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“It is with great sadness that I must announce my dear husband Jonah Lomu died last night”, she said.
As well as playing for several domestic teams in his homeland, he made 10 appearances for Cardiff Blues in Wales between 2005 and 2006, shortly before his retirement.
BARNSTAPLE chairman of rugby Kevin Squire has paid tribute to “incredible” Jonah Lomu after the New Zealand rugby union star died today, aged 40. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday November 18, 2015.
Lomu was just 20 and a novice when he went to South Africa with two All Black caps under his belt.
Just three days ago, in one of his final tweets, Lomu showed his solidarity with the people of France following the Paris terrorist attacks. The best thing I did was shake his hand and not feel the full force of his hand in my face.
“Through Jonah these memories and these learnings will live on through me and I pass them on through my Munster time and to players coming through”.
All Blacks past and present were quick to pay tribute to Lomu, the game’s first global superstar. In recent times he had become a highly sought-after ambassador for the game.
“Jonah’s contribution to rugby can not be overstated”.
World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said in a 2013 documentary that Lomu revolutionised the sport at a key juncture when the game was turning professional.
“It’s a sad day for New Zealand, the Tongan community and rugby as a whole”, said Tuitupou.
“I don’t think there will ever be another player who had such an impact on the world stage”.
“He changed the perception of the game”.
“He came across as a gentle giant off the field, on the field obviously there was a ferocity to the way that he played, but he just conducted himself as a model pro and the humility you associate with the All Blacks that they exude”.
Lomu scored 37 tries in 63 Tests and was regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest wingers.
O’Driscoll described the news as a “huge shock”.
Importantly, away from the pitch Jonah was among the kindest and most respectful people you could hope to meet.
“Going from the amateur era into the professional one Jonah was simply phenomenal”.
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“He was the first big superstar”, said the former Ireland captain.
