Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Rugby-All Blacks great Jonah Lomu dies aged 40

18 November 2015 02:19 am - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

All Blacks great Jonah Lomu, who revolutionised wing play to become rugby union's first global superstar, died on Wednesday in Auckland at the age of 40.

Former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew told TV3 that Lomu, who had a kidney transplant in 2004, had died unexpectedly, while New Zealand Rugby later stated they were  and deeply saddened “by his death.

're lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah's family, “chief executive Steve Tew said on Twitter.

He was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world.” Lomu, who was awaiting another transplant and undergoing dialysis treatment, had undertaken commercial obligations at the recent Rugby World Cup in England before returning home.

He played 63 tests on the wing for New Zealand, scoring 37 international tries.

Those bare statistics, although impressive enough, tell only part of the story with Lomu's deeds accomplished while he battled nephritic syndrome, a disease that attacked his kidneys and necessitated the transplant in 2004.

Initially plucked from obscurity as an 18-year-old by All Blacks coach Laurie Mains, Lomu found his transition from the loose forward position he played at secondary school to the wing a challenge.

He was dropped after his first two tests against France in 1994 and barely made Mains' Rugby World Cup squad in 1995 after being deemed not fit enough for the fast-paced game the coach wanted to play.

Lomu's performances at the tournament in South Africa, however, electrified the rugby world as he scored seven tries, four in the semi-final against England alone with one when he trampled over fullback Mike Catt leaving many speechless.

The pace and power displayed by the 1.95m tall and 119kg Lomu changed the wing position with the traditional lightweight flyer gradually all but disappearing from the test game.

The ravages of Lomus's disease had begun to affect him by 1998, however, and his performances went downhill, although he still made the 1999 World Cup and scored eight tries before playing his last test against Wales in 2002. (Reuters)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 12

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Goliwog Wednesday, 18 November 2015 08:18 AM

    Sad news. May he attain Nibbana!

    Deen Wednesday, 18 November 2015 08:31 AM

    Very sad news. RIP

    mnsmart Wednesday, 18 November 2015 08:42 AM

    Deepest sympathies, what a wonderful player. Thank you for the entertainment you provided us the Rugby fans. Goodbye Lomu.

    Desmond Jeromme Wednesday, 18 November 2015 08:48 AM

    Deepest sympathies, too early to die. Let his soul rest in peace with Jesus.

    The God Father Wednesday, 18 November 2015 09:25 AM

    Deepest sympathies, this shows how fragile we are.......

    Fred Wednesday, 18 November 2015 10:44 AM

    Hope he knew the arya ashtangika margaya.

    lkboy Wednesday, 18 November 2015 11:32 AM

    Oh dear! The end of a legend. so sad.

    Iqbal Moosa Wednesday, 18 November 2015 11:33 AM

    Very sad news. Deepest sympathies. Enjoyed watching you bring rugby to a new level.

    c.s.Ranasinghe Wednesday, 18 November 2015 12:10 PM

    Deepest condolences to great.You will be in our heart foreever

    SL Wednesday, 18 November 2015 01:06 PM

    A great sportsman with huge courage .I have read his story recently and found that he played his best games while he was a chronic kidney patient. RIP

    Nihal Amarasekera Wednesday, 18 November 2015 02:30 PM

    Aiyo! was my instantaneous reaction.

    Goliwog Wednesday, 18 November 2015 03:35 PM

    Buddhism is a philosophy and you do not need to be a parrot to understand it.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H