Jonah Lomu: Passing of a Legend
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The All Blacks’s greatest player has sadly died at age 40 – it is unclear as to why.
Jonah Lomu was a giant in rugby. In 1994 at age 19, he broke the record that had stood for 90 years, becoming New Zealand’s youngest Test player, going on to play 63 more Tests for the team. He scored 37 tries, including one that, many say, defined his career.
He was picked as something of a wildcard in 1995 for the rugby World Cup, after he made an impression on coach Laurie Mains – a decision which he would never regret. Lomu scored a total of seven tries in total – four during the semi final against England – as the All Blacks reached the final. They eventually succumbed to the host nation, however.
The reaction to his sudden death has been astounding; the Prime Minister of New Zealand said, “Deeply saddened to hear of Jonah Lomu’s unexpected passing this morning. The thoughts of the entire country are with his family.”
Jonah’s rise to international fame from South Africa brought rugby into the world’s eye, and gave it a more global audience that it had been previously unable to attain.
“What it meant for rugby, that World Cup changed everything,” Lomu told the Guardian in August. “When I look at it now I understand my impact more. When they show clips of me on the TV, my sons turn and look at me.”
In total, Lomu scored 15 World Cup tries – a benchmark equalled by South Africa’s Bryan Habana at this year’s tournament – although 1995 was the closest he came to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.
The man was an inspiration, and he will be sorely missed.