THE FIRST GLOBAL superstar of rugby union, former All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu, has died suddenly at the age of 40.
In a statement, former New Zealand team doctor John Mayhew confirmed that Lomu, one of the game’s all-time greats, had died suddenly in Auckland on Wednesday morning.
On behalf of the Lomu family, I can confirm that Jonah Lomu died this morning, most probably about 8 or 9 this morning.
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.
As a 19-year-old, he made a name for himself in rugby circles during the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens, helping New Zealand win the tournament.
The following year, he burst on to the scene of world rugby at the 1995 World Cup, scoring seven tries in five matches, including four against England in the semi-final, and two against Ireland.
At 6’5″, and almost 19 stone, his blistering speed, physical power and ability to break tackle after tackle made him an overnight sensation, and garnered global attention, beyond the rugby world.
In all, Lomu scored 37 tries in 63 senior appearances for New Zealand, in a career that began in 1994, but faded under the effects of nephrotic syndrome – a kidney disorder that required regular medical treatment and dialysis.
In later years, he attempted comebacks, playing briefly for the Cardiff Blues in 2006, and Marseille, in 2010, in the French third division.
He holds the joint record for most tries scored in the Rugby World Cup, with 15, a number equalled by South Africa’s Bryan Habana during the 2015 competition last month.
Legends of the game, past and present, have been paying tribute to Lomu this morning, including Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson, the top two points scorers of all time.
Sean Fitzpatrick, All Blacks hooker and Lomu’s captain at the ’95 World Cup, called him a “very special person.”
And the country’s Prime Minister, John Key, said he was “deeply saddened” by Lomu’s death.
French captain Thierry Dusautoir said Lomu “inspired a generation of rugby players.”
While Australia’s Tim Horan, one of the greatest centres of all time, and a regular opponent of Lomu, perhaps said it best:
In August, Lomu’s try against England in the 1995 World Cup semi-final was voted the greatest of all time in a worldwide poll.
She was lucky to be Born in the USA
@Observer: near Atlantic City i think
@Brian Dunne: hopefully the Glory Days aren’t behind her yet.
@Observer: like it
@Conor Egan: as long as she maintains a Hungry Heart she should be ok
@Brian Dunne: She’s a Jersey girl!
@Adam O’Sullivan: My hometown
@Larry Betts: She’s a Nyaaaaaavan girl now hi
Bruce lying again, he said she was born to run!
@Gerry from the Block: She’s mad about tidiness and hygiene. That’s why she wants to visit Co.Kildare. She heard it’s naas and clane there.
@Brian Dunne: nope. She was born on the streets of Philadelphia, down by the river.
@Larry Betts: she sure is prosperous
Strange she is doing the equisterian…. You’d have thought she’d be born to run….
I Believe she Can Fly
I knew she’d be ok, she’s Tougher Than The Rest.
She’s Solid, Solid As A Rock
Ohhhh.oooh..she’s on fire!
I’ll get.me coat.
That Don’t Impress-a-me Much
Everyone racking their brains for the titles of Bruce’s albums and songs so they can come up with atrocious puns! I’m just jealous that I got here late and was beaten to it. ‘Born to pun…’
@William Tallon: I once submitted ten puns for a Funny Pun competition. I thought at least one of them would win,but no pun in ten did.
@Larry Betts: Now that’s an oldie…
@Larry Betts: morto for ya
@Mary Paget: Sad. For you.
Not one comment so far about the actual story! Must be a record even for the Journal…
@William Tallon: people are probably just Waiting on a Sunny Day
@William Tallon: Makes a change I suppose. It’s usually about a girl singer while her daddy’s out riding. Vice versa in this case
@William Tallon: what’s to say about the fact that somebody won a medal in the Olympics in an obscure and relatively elite sport. Well done?
That said, I’d like to point out to the journal that there are other countries in the Olympics as well as Ireland and the US.
@john smith iv: Obscure?? Elite?? Give me patience!
She’s the one. Chasin’ wild horses. Dancing in the dark on the streets of Philadelphia tonight,though there may be a little darkness on the edge of town.
@Larry Betts: she’ll feel like she’s in the Promised Land tonight
@Brian Dunne: I have a reason to believe if there’s an incident on 57th Street it’ll be a long walk home
@Larry Betts: just dont get Lost In The Flood
@Brian Dunne: I’ll try not to get blinded by the light. Even if I do,there will be better days
@Larry Betts: thats what i like about you Larry, its the Human Touch
@Brian Dunne: Don’t be fooled. It’s a brilliant disguise
@Larry Betts: well i guess you are from the Badlands…
He will be happy
He’ll do his crying in the rain
Started taking lessons on the Backstreets if I’m not mistaken?
@Paul Keane: Yeah,Thunder Road. She would drive all night to get there
She’ll drive like A Bat Out Of Hell
Hope they go ” Down to the river “
The’ll go Down To The River To Pray
God almighty you lot, would think that you could do better than that.. a simple congratulations and well done would be great. Maybe she will be dancing in the dark after this. Couldn’t resist that!! just couldn’t..
Sinne Fianna Fáil, a tá fé gheall ag Éirinn.
She was working on a dream for a long time.
@Twitruser2021: She was waiting for a sunny day
Now she’s Walking On Sunshine
Born to ride
True She Rides The Finest Horse …. I’ve Ever Seen
They’ve been waitin’ on that sunny day for a while. Fair play!
She is The Sunshine Of his Life
‘a great leaper ….as Ted would say.
A Lovely Lovely Lovely Horse
She was actually the horse. It was a brilliant disguise.