The rugby world this morning woke to the sad news that All Black legend Jonah Lomu had passed away at the age of just 40. Lomu was a pioneer of the game, completely redefining the way wingers play with his never-before-seen mix of raw power and devastating pace.
Relive some of his best moments in the video below. RIP Jonah.
Video credit: UKMSports
Sad to lose such a legend of the game.
Comes as a bit of a shock after he was so active in the media in the UK while the RWC was on. On rugby tonight he was even saying how he was considering moving to the UK permenantly
So sad to wake up in South Africa to hear this shocking news, Lomu was a legend in our Country all South African’s Loved him my condolances to his family and friends my his soul rest in peace
Sad sad news, a player we will never see the like of again, the word legend is bandied about far too much but in his case it is appropriate. R.I.P. big man.
Very sad news indeed. R.I.P Jonah, your memory lives on in every rugby fan across the world. You are a true legend of our sport, and you will be sadly missed.
RIP Jonah, thank you for helping change our game for the better.
We never saw how truly great he would have been as illness meant his top flight career was curtailed soon after the 1999 RWC.
What we did see was something very special indeed. He was utterly astonishing at RWC 1995-a teenager that shook the World.
A terrible lost for a awesome player.
RIP my man !!!!
Sad news to hear this morning. From everything I’ve heard about him, it seems like he was a great person as well as a great player. A combination that is all too rare.
He single-handedly changed the game of rugby. And as Enoch says, he could have been even better were it not for his illness.
Heard the news at 0.30 this morning, terrible shock that someone so great has been taken from us at such a young age. Still remember that 1995 semi final and just brushing off 4 England players as if they wasn’t there. Rest In Peace Jonah Lomu.
Perhaps many of the bloggers here are too young to recall Jonah Lomu… judging by the relative lack of comments listed?
In any event his passing is an incredibly sad loss, esp for his wife & young sons.
Initially, I never realised how soon his debilitating disease had taken hold, as prev I’d been guilty of criticising his, at times, seeming lethargy or sluggishness & sometimes esp, positioning, on ‘D’. Well I guess I now know why – at least in part anyway.
Interestingly for me & this is a 1st in my exp, to their credit, all of the British media that I’ve seen or heard has expressed only glowing accolades for Jonah… as if he were 1 of their own.
Perhaps he was… or is, in a sense… a truly global figure?
Still can’t quite believe it though.
RIP Kiwi.
Thanks for the memories Jonah. I don’t think we’ll ever again see a player, in any position, completely re-define the limits or possibilities of that position.
A legend that will live on long after I’m gone. R.I.P
At least we all got to see him play the game he loved and gave so much to.
Like SCW said,this almost feels like a personal loss.
Lomu,the first and best of the modern powerhouse wingers.
One of the most genuine and exciting rugby players died only in the age of 40. R.I.P. Jonah.
Jonah Lomu!.. RIP, Lomu. In my native Georgian language Lomu is almost a lion. Yes, he was. Pity none could save you!!! RIP, Jonah’s soul!