Rugby world remembers New Zealand great Jonah Lomu

Jonah Lomu, hailed as the world’s “first global rugby superstar”, has died aged 40.

The fearsome New Zealand winger had been suffering from a rare kidney disorder, but family spokesperson John Mayhew told the country’s media that his death was “totally unexpected”.

Lomu was just 20 years old when he burst on to the stage at the 1995 Rugby World Cup as an 18 stone, 6ft 5in giant, sprinting round or, more often, straight through his opponents.

#RIPJonah pic.twitter.com/b72VujMNUG

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 18, 2015

He scored four tries in the All Blacks’ victory over England in the semi-final, and a total of 15 tries at World Cup matches – joint top in the list of all-time World Cup scorers.

Current and former All Blacks have been paying tribute to the player online, including World Cup-winning fly half Dan Carter.

Would of done anything to have played a test with him. Gone way too soon my brother #ripjonah pic.twitter.com/tb8ZLROKfu

— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) November 18, 2015

Shocked, thoughts are with the Lomu family right now ❤️❤️

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) November 18, 2015

Rest in peace to my brother Jonah Lomu. Going to miss you bro???? pic.twitter.com/4owFc614FH

— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) November 18, 2015

All Black Israel Dagg underlined Lomu’s influence round the world.

Was in mexico yesterday and people were speaking about @JONAHTALILOMU .. You made rugby what it Is today Jonah… Love to you n the family

— Israel Akuhata Dagg (@izzy_dagg) November 18, 2015

Lomu’s New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick led the tributes from former players.

Our thoughts are with the @JONAHTALILOMU family tonight. A very special person. @AllBlacks

— Sean Fitzpatrick (@SFitzpatrick92) November 18, 2015

After the 1995 match, England captain Will Carling famously said, “I am hoping not to come across him again. He’s a freak – and the sooner he goes away the better.”

On Wednesday morning, he paid his respects to a great friend.

So sad to hear that Jonah Lomu has died. Rugby's first global star, what a player and more important what a good guy #verysad

— Will Carling (@willcarling) November 18, 2015

Just before RWC Final with the great man. Rest easy Legend. Gentle off the field, awesome & unstoppable on it pic.twitter.com/l9VX57rvuV

— Will Carling (@willcarling) November 18, 2015

Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward spoke on Radio 4’s Today programme about what it was that made Lomu such a great player.

“What made him a great player? Just try playing against him.” – Sir Clive Woodward on Jonah Lomu. "We’ll miss him." pic.twitter.com/ZnComEjR8H

— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) November 18, 2015

Students at Lomu’s former school in New Zealand, Wesley College, paid tribute to their famous alumnus with a haka.

The Sports Minister for new Zealand, Jonathan Coleman, told the BBC that Lomu “was the first global rugby superstar”, adding that he was a “huge inspiration to Polynesian men and actually in later years with his battles against kidney disease, very inspirational to people suffering from chronic diseases as well.”

New Zealand prime minister John Key meanwhile said, “The thoughts of the entire country are with this family.”