WELLINGTON, New Zealand — All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu, whose power and pace revolutionized rugby and whose humility and grace won millions of fans, died early Wednesday, New Zealand Rugby said. He was 40. New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said the union was "shocked and deeply saddened" to learn of Lomu's unexpected death. "Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world," he said. "We're lost for words. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah's family." please log in to view this image © AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2011 file photo, All Blacks rugby legend Jonah Lomu watches Australia rugby players train in Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Rugby Union says… Lomu had dealt with the severe kidney ailment nephrotic syndrome since 1995 which forced his premature retirement from international rugby in 2002. He played 63 tests for the All Blacks, scoring 43 tries and was the prototype of a new type of backline player who combined pace and size. Lomu underwent a kidney transplant in 2004 and tried unsuccessfully to resume his professional career in Wales and France after that operation and despite doctors' misgivings. While his health seemed to improve he couldn't regain his former dominance and eventually retired from all rugby in 2006. He remained an active ambassador for the sport, however, and remained a huge fan favorite, feted around the world. He most recently attended the Rugby World Cup in Britain in September and October, where he seemed fit and in good health and where New Zealand retained the title. please log in to view this image © AP Photo/Claude Paris, File FILE- In this Nov. 22, 2009 file photo, New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu, center, former All Blacks winger, runs with the ball as Montmelian's Sylvain Maulet, left, and Ke… But he has battled bouts of serious ill health in recent years. In 2011 his body rejected his donor kidney and as hopeful of undergoing a second transplant operation. Lomu was his devastating best at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups, scoring 15 tries in 11 games but never winning the trophy. The stabbing death of a friend as a teenager steered Lomu away from street gangs in the blue-collar suburbs of Auckland where he grew up. Rugby gave him new direction. Aged just 19 for his test debut, Lomu was a colossus for a winger: 1.96 meters tall (6-foot-4); 119 kilograms (262 pounds). Prime Minister John Key said he was deeply saddened by news of Lomu's passing. "The thoughts of the entire country are with his family," Key said.
I am no rugby fan, but even I remember him destroying England on his own in the world cup. Also a dedicated LFC fan
His chest was certainly big enough for all those winners ribbons..those other 3 poor sods must have felt they were losers when they only recieved their one or two lol...
Like others above, I'm no rugby fan-but he was a household name in his heyday. Only 40- sad indeed. RIP.
same age as me, rip big man. as said above, although not a rugby fan either i remember you also destroying england.
Met him once when he was travelling over to Ireland, came down the Engine room of ferry I was working on at the time,there for most of the 3 1/2 hour crossing Had big interest in large engines, hell of a nice guy, got signed photo with him,looked a bit like an umpah lumpah next to him. If you were ever going to describe anyone as built like a brick ****house,it would be him,if I played rugby that would be one tackle I would duck out of Big Man,Big Heart,Big Respect RIP Big Man
