Jonah Lomu was an icon for New Zealand fans but also revered in South Africa where the winger’s performances at the World Cup in 1995 wrote him into the country’s rugby folklore.
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The star was diagnosed with the serious kidney condition nephrotic syndrome in 1996 and underwent a kidney transplant in 2004. “Thoughts are with his family”, Brian O’Driscoll posted on his Twitter account.
He was photographed arriving home at Auckland airport yesterday.
Despite his health problems, he had been working in the United Kingdom during the recent Rugby World Cup, which makes his death all the more shocking.
However, Lomu once turned out for Wrexham RUFC at their Bryn Estyn Lane ground in November 1995, just a few months after bursting on to the worldwide scene at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. “He was, I think in many ways, embarrassed by his fame, by the fact that he was on the world stage so very, very quickly”, said Keith.
Morne du Plessis, manager of the 1995 Bok world cup winning team, says Lomu leaves a huge hole. Current and former All Blacks, politicians and other celebrities sent their messages of honor.
“We’re all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah Lomu”, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said.
“Jonah wasn’t only a close friend but a brother who was always feeling his best moments while with me and so do I. No words matter, and I will keep kidding, talking, joking, with him in my heart until we both meet again in heaven”, he added.
All Black legend Dan Carter has admitted he would have “done anything” to play a Test match with Jonah Lomu while Brian O’Driscoll has hailed the game’s “first real superstar”.
Lomu inflicted plenty of damage on the Wallabies during his career, but that didn’t stop many Australian players offering their respect.
Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga said Lomu “single-handedly put rugby back on the map”. Marshall told Sky Sports.
Moon never played a “competitive” game against the 6ft 5ins winger, save for one testimonial game, but has been in his presence on a number of occasions at a variety of charity functions and described him as a gentle giant.
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“I feel for New Zealand because they have lost a great legend of the game and that is a term you don’t use lightly”.
