New Zealand rugby mourns the loss of Jonah Lomu

Above: Jonah Lomu playing for Wainuiomata in Wellington club rugby in 1999. Photo by Photosport/Google Images

Jonah Lomu transcended rugby.

He was modern rugby’s first global superstar.

In 2000 he played the first of two club matches for his adopted club Wainuiomata.

Wainuiomata were in the second division of the Wellington club rugby competition at the time, but such was his star power that 4,000 ringed the field to watch him play and score two tries. 

The following year the Hurricanes’ first Super Rugby match at the brand new Stadium was memorable. A double act by All Blacks Lomu and Christian Cullen helped the Hurricanes christen their new home in style when they beat the Sharks 40-23 in front of a full house. Fullback Cullen and new left wing Lomu scored two tries each. 

Lomu had transferred from stints with the Blues (1996-1998) and the Chiefs (1999) at the end of 1999, linking up with All Black teammates Tana Umaga, Christian Cullen and Alama Ieremia in a lethal Hurricanes backline. Later in the season he helped the Lions lift the NPC title for the first time in 14 years, scoring another two tries in the final against Canterbury.

In all, the champion wing played exactly 50 first class games out of Wellington - 29 for the Hurricanes and 21 for the Lions. In this time he drew expectation and anticipation off the field and excitement and exhilaration on it. 

Lomu’s biggest battle wasn’t on the rugby field but off it. He battled nephrotic syndrome, a rare and serious kidney disorder that in 2003 prematurely ended his time with the Hurricanes and the Lions, and ultimately his top-level career. In 2004 Wellington radio personality Grant Kereama donated Lomu a new kidney.

At his best Lomu was the most devastating player world rugby has known, starring in two World Cups in 1995 and 1999, scoring 37 test tries and creating countless more in his 63 tests.

He was also a fearsome Sevens player, the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens tournament his initial springboard to international fame. 

Lomu was a star at the Blues in the first two seasons of Super Rugby. He played 22 games for the Blues from 1996 to 1998, including the first two Super Rugby Championships.

Blues Head Coach Tana Umaga, who played alongside Lomu at the All Blacks, the Hurricanes and Wellington, said the news was a huge blow.
 
“Right now I am deeply upset and saddened by this news,” Umaga said.
 
“My heart-felt thoughts are with his wife and children at this very sad time.
 
“It’s not the right time to talk about his career, but rather to offer my condolences to his family at this very sad time.”
 
Wellington Rugby chief executive Steve Rogers said the union expressed its greatest sympathy to the family of Jonah during this time.

“Jonah was an incredibly special part of rugby in our province, and will forever be remembered for his outstanding pace and skill, his strength as a player and person, and his kind and genuine nature both on and off the field.

“The combination he formed with Tana (Umaga) and Cully (Christan Cullen) back in the early 2000s is a partnership that will forever be written in Wellington Rugby folklore. It’s something rugby fans not only in Wellington, but around the world, will remember forever.”

New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew said: “We’re all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah.  We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family.  Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world.”