The 63-Test veteran, who became a worldwide superstar, died at his home in Auckland on Wednesday, aged 40, sparking tributes locally and around the world.
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According to CNN, Lomu enjoys the top try scorer record with South Africa wing Bryan Habana, scoring 15 tries in 11 matches, despite not winning the World Cup.
“They woke in the morning and they found him dead”.
Anita Howes “Rest in peace Jonah my favourite rugby player of all time”.
Lomu had time for everyone, endlessly signing autographs at airports and supermarkets and posing for photographs too.
The Tongan community has shared it’s heartbreak over the death of “much loved son” Jonah Lomu, the man it said made a “positive and lasting impression” on everyone he met.
One such experience was when he arrived in Malaysia for the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Speaking in front of Lomu’s mother and wife, Hart paid tribute to the man he coached at the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He first knew he had a kidney disorder in 1994 but a formal diagnosis was only done in 1996.
Lomu’s father-in-law Mervyn Quirk had earlier issued a statement acknowledging the public for their support. To play with him was awesome.
Many of his on-field rivals became his close friends off the field. Along the way Lomu also came to meet Hollywood stars and personalities from various other backgrounds, especially in his ambassadorial role for brands.
Even the Queen has honoured the 40-year-old, who does from heart failure related to his rare kidney disease, asking New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key to pass on her condolences to the nation, the ABC reports. McCaw joins fellow test centurions Keven Mealamu (132 caps) and Tony Woodcock (118) in hanging up their boots, while Daniel Carter (112), Ma’a Nonu (103) and Conrad Smith (94) have also ended their New Zealand careers by joining clubs in France.
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“This is an incredibly sad time for all of us”, he said as Lomu’s family and former All Blacks team mate Michael Jones stood behind Hart outside his home in Auckland.
