One of the greatest rugby players to ever grace the pitch passed away suddenly Wednesday morning, at only 40 years old, and the sporting world continues to reel from the news.
Jonah Lomu, who is known throughout Oceania and by rugby supporters across the globe, shockingly died after returning home from a short family vacation in Dubai. The man from Pukekohe, a small town near Auckland, had been battling Nephrotic syndrome, a rare kidney disease, since he was just 20 years old. By 2003, he was undergoing regular dialysis treatments, up to six times a week and in 2007, he was forced to quit the game.
Jonah Lomu, who is known throughout Oceania and by rugby supporters across the globe, shockingly died after returning home from a short family vacation in Dubai. The man from Pukekohe, a small town near Auckland, had been battling Nephrotic syndrome, a rare kidney disease, since he was just 20 years old. By 2003, he was undergoing regular dialysis treatments, up to six times a week and in 2007, he was forced to quit the game.
On the rugby field, he was a magician. Known for exceptional runs, blazing speed, and brute strength; Lomu quickly became one of the big stars in rugby, and a role model for young ruggers everywhere, including myself. He played the game with such tenacity and passion, it made you want to pick up a ball and your boots, every time you saw him.
The memory that many will attach to him, was the semi-final match of the 1995 World Cup, where he plowed through a pair of Englishmen on his way to scoring a massive try for New Zealand, one of his four of the game.
The memory that many will attach to him, was the semi-final match of the 1995 World Cup, where he plowed through a pair of Englishmen on his way to scoring a massive try for New Zealand, one of his four of the game.
Despite never winning a Rugby World Cup, Lomu had a career full of milestones, including being the youngest ever All Black (19 years 45 days), the most tries in Rugby World Cup, with 15 (jointly held with Bryan Habana), a gold medal for NZ in the 1998 Commonwealth Games (Sevens), inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame (2011), and an appointment to the New Zealand Order of Merit (2007). I am among those who believe he is the greatest rugby player to never win a World Cup, and had he remained healthy, he surely would have won a few.
Lomu’s final tweet: a video of fountains in Dubai, uploaded just a couple days before his sudden passing.
Lomu’s final tweet: a video of fountains in Dubai, uploaded just a couple days before his sudden passing.
Dancing fountains Dubai mall #MyDubai pic.twitter.com/jGPXYBigEy
— JONAH LOMU (@JONAHTALILOMU) 16 November 2015
“Just a larger than life person.“Certainly a magnet for a lot of attention, and was probably the game’s first superstar.”
- Steve Tew, CEO of New Zealand Rugby
Following the announcement, rugby players from across the world took to social media to express their grief.
Can't believe that Jonah Lomu has passed away. Was with him and his wife and family for an evening last month. So sad, life is so cruel.
— Jonathan Davies OBE (@JiffyRugby) 18 November 2015
Rest in peace to my brother Jonah Lomu. Going to miss you bro□ pic.twitter.com/4owFc614FH
— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) 18 November 2015
This cartoon published in the New Zealand Herald, depicted Jonah’s “entry to heaven.”
¡Brillante! @rojastorrijos La llegada al cielo de #JonahLomu Magnífica viñeta de Al Nisbet en @nzherald pic.twitter.com/6WAo5f6GyZ
— Armando Vallejo (@Armando_Vallejo) 18 November 2015
Wesley College, Lomu’s former school performed a haka in his honour.
Lomu will be missed, but he will continue to inspire for eternity.
RSS Feed
