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awful news. only 40. his poor family. rip . unbelievable memories. was on tv only a few weeks ago.
Terrible news A career and life cut much too short. Changed the face of rugby union forever, a devastating force on the field. RIP
A career and life cut much too short. Changed the face of rugby union forever, a devastating force on the field. RIP
New Zealand is mourning one of its greatest sporting heroes after the former All Blacks player Jonah Lomu died unexpectedly in Auckland on Wednesday at the age of 40.
John Mayhew, the former All Blacks doctor, confirmed the news on Wednesday morning.
“On behalf of the Lomu family, I can confirm that Jonah Lomu died this morning, most probably about 8 or 9” Mayhew said. “The family are obviously devastated, as are friends and acquaintances.
“The family have requested privacy at this stage, they are obviously going through a terrible time. It was totally unexpected. Jonah and his family arrived back from the United Kingdom last night and he suddenly died this morning.”
Lomu had suffered from health problems since his retirement from playing in 2002 due to a rare kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome. He underwent a kidney transplant in 2004 and had been on dialysis treatment for the past 10 years.
He had recently travelled to the UK for the Rugby World Cup, during which he worked with tournament sponsors. He and his family holidayed in Dubai on their way back to New Zealand and Lomu had tweeted from there as recently as Monday.
“We’re all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah Lomu,” New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said.
“Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world. We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family.”
New Zealand’s prime minister John Key took to Twitter to express his condolences. “Deeply saddened to hear of Jonah Lomu’s unexpected passing this morning. The thoughts of the entire country are with his family,” he wrote.
Lomu played in 63 Tests for New Zealand after making his debut in 1994. He scored 37 tries and his physical, often brutal, running game regularly terrorised defences the world over.
The bullocking try he scored against England at the 1995 World Cup, when opposition defenders bounced off him on his way to the line, was this year voted the greatest in World Cup history.
That World Cup in South Africa was the breakthrough tournament for Lomu, who had come to the selectors’ attention the previous year and made his debut aged only 19, breaking a record that had stood for 90 years as their youngest Test player.
He was a surprise selection in the squad for 1995 with only two caps, but by the end of the tournament he was probably the most famous rugby player in the world, despite the All Blacks losing the final to the Springboks.
He scored seven tries in the tournament, including four in the 45-29 semi-final defeat of England. Lomu’s 15 World Cup tries stood alone as the highest tally until they were equalled by South Africa’s Bryan Habana at this year’s tournament.
Lomu’s rise to international prominence in South Africa not only made him a star of the game, but also helped take rugby union to a global audience it had not previously reached.
“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.’”
sad news ...
John Mayhew, the former All Blacks doctor, confirmed the news on Wednesday morning.
“On behalf of the Lomu family, I can confirm that Jonah Lomu died this morning, most probably about 8 or 9” Mayhew said. “The family are obviously devastated, as are friends and acquaintances.
“The family have requested privacy at this stage, they are obviously going through a terrible time. It was totally unexpected. Jonah and his family arrived back from the United Kingdom last night and he suddenly died this morning.”
Lomu had suffered from health problems since his retirement from playing in 2002 due to a rare kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome. He underwent a kidney transplant in 2004 and had been on dialysis treatment for the past 10 years.
He had recently travelled to the UK for the Rugby World Cup, during which he worked with tournament sponsors. He and his family holidayed in Dubai on their way back to New Zealand and Lomu had tweeted from there as recently as Monday.
“We’re all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah Lomu,” New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said.
“Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world. We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family.”
New Zealand’s prime minister John Key took to Twitter to express his condolences. “Deeply saddened to hear of Jonah Lomu’s unexpected passing this morning. The thoughts of the entire country are with his family,” he wrote.
Lomu played in 63 Tests for New Zealand after making his debut in 1994. He scored 37 tries and his physical, often brutal, running game regularly terrorised defences the world over.
The bullocking try he scored against England at the 1995 World Cup, when opposition defenders bounced off him on his way to the line, was this year voted the greatest in World Cup history.
That World Cup in South Africa was the breakthrough tournament for Lomu, who had come to the selectors’ attention the previous year and made his debut aged only 19, breaking a record that had stood for 90 years as their youngest Test player.
He was a surprise selection in the squad for 1995 with only two caps, but by the end of the tournament he was probably the most famous rugby player in the world, despite the All Blacks losing the final to the Springboks.
He scored seven tries in the tournament, including four in the 45-29 semi-final defeat of England. Lomu’s 15 World Cup tries stood alone as the highest tally until they were equalled by South Africa’s Bryan Habana at this year’s tournament.
Lomu’s rise to international prominence in South Africa not only made him a star of the game, but also helped take rugby union to a global audience it had not previously reached.
“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.’”
sad news ...
at the time of the WC googled him up to see what he was up to
read he was getting into body building a bit..looked in good shape,seemed fit
so was terribly saddened and surprised to hear of his demise
'shook up the world' like no other before or since in rugby..an absolute force of nature and seemed such a humble,nice guy at the same time..never to be forgotten
read he was getting into body building a bit..looked in good shape,seemed fit
so was terribly saddened and surprised to hear of his demise
'shook up the world' like no other before or since in rugby..an absolute force of nature and seemed such a humble,nice guy at the same time..never to be forgotten
It maybe hard for some to understand the impact he made on the Rugby Union.
Even at the time he made this impact it was hard to comprehend. The 1995 World Cup showcased Rugby Union to the World. The sheer freakery of his size and speed showcased by his destruction of England "running over " defenders was seen around the world and interest in the game grew.
When Va'aiga Tuigamala came into The Union from Rugby League people gasped and thought he was monster. People have to remember some of the great forwards ( J P Rives ) in the game in the 1970's would weigh in at 13 and a half stone if that. To see a winger at 16st was terrifying. Then along comes Jonah. I can only imgine it being something like sitting on your bed in a cell and the door opens and the guard says meet your new cell mate! Wingers like JJ Williams 11st 9lbs, Gerald Davies 11st 6lbs.
Rugby was a game for everyone in the class the big men, school bully, flashy boys at 10 and little imps on the wing. Lomu changed all that. Speed could now be allied with muscle. Now we see nearly 30 freaks on the pitch. It is no surpise so many injuries are occuring.
Jonah also brought Rugby into the front rooms of everybody. I still remember and laugh at his pizza advert with Tony, Rory and Annie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59xlLBFXCJk
Even at the time he made this impact it was hard to comprehend. The 1995 World Cup showcased Rugby Union to the World. The sheer freakery of his size and speed showcased by his destruction of England "running over " defenders was seen around the world and interest in the game grew.
When Va'aiga Tuigamala came into The Union from Rugby League people gasped and thought he was monster. People have to remember some of the great forwards ( J P Rives ) in the game in the 1970's would weigh in at 13 and a half stone if that. To see a winger at 16st was terrifying. Then along comes Jonah. I can only imgine it being something like sitting on your bed in a cell and the door opens and the guard says meet your new cell mate! Wingers like JJ Williams 11st 9lbs, Gerald Davies 11st 6lbs.
Rugby was a game for everyone in the class the big men, school bully, flashy boys at 10 and little imps on the wing. Lomu changed all that. Speed could now be allied with muscle. Now we see nearly 30 freaks on the pitch. It is no surpise so many injuries are occuring.
Jonah also brought Rugby into the front rooms of everybody. I still remember and laugh at his pizza advert with Tony, Rory and Annie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59xlLBFXCJk
some great comments, the NZ evening news started half an hour early to pay tribute to a true Kiwi legend
RIP
RIP
Will Carling was interviewed some time before England played the All Blacks in the 1995 World Cup and was asked about Jonah Lomu .......... ' .. he's a freak ..' etc etc
I can't help thinking this didn't help the England players deal with tackling him.
....... statues ... rabbits caught in headlights ... etc etc
I can't help thinking this didn't help the England players deal with tackling him.
....... statues ... rabbits caught in headlights ... etc etc
sad. Was on BT Sport literally 3 weeks ago aswell. RIP
18 St but could run 100m in 10.8 seconds.
More than that a wonderful human being.
Watched some youtube clips of him yesterday. He appeared to be a man against boys. So much bigger than all other backs and even some forwards.
Few people could run through Tindall or Jonny but he did. I saw Dallaglio struggle to drag him to the floor. Jonah was so quick from a standing start he was able to take about 6 Boks with him in one clip.
A truly incredible talent.
More than that a wonderful human being.
Watched some youtube clips of him yesterday. He appeared to be a man against boys. So much bigger than all other backs and even some forwards.
Few people could run through Tindall or Jonny but he did. I saw Dallaglio struggle to drag him to the floor. Jonah was so quick from a standing start he was able to take about 6 Boks with him in one clip.
A truly incredible talent.
I read that at school Wesley College he broke virtually every single track and field record.
Spiro Zavos on Jonah.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/11/18/spiro-farewell-jonah-lomu-forever-young/
Spiro Zavos on Jonah.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/11/18/spiro-farewell-jonah-lomu-forever-young/
It's time I forgave him for scoring the winning try in the 2000 Bledisloe dubbed the 'Greatest Test Match Of All Time' in the 43rd minute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heoO_5MvZ0w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heoO_5MvZ0w
He used to pray before the game that no one got injured. 
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