Paying tribute to the All Blacks, Jonah Lomu

The winger, who burst on to the worldwide scene at the 1995 World Cup, had a stint with Cardiff Blues, for whom he played 10 matches for from 2005-06.

“The family are obviously devastated, as are friends and acquaintances”.

“I was hoping that it would get better but it never did”, he said. “Jonah and his family arrived back from the United Kingdom last night and he suddenly died this morning”.

He was one of our most influential and powerful players.

New Zealand Rugby chief government Steve Tew stated “Jonah was a legend of our recreation and beloved by his many followers each right here and around the globe”.

Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies tweeted: “Can’t believe that Jonah Lomu has passed away”.

The star was diagnosed with the serious kidney condition nephrotic syndrome in 1996 and underwent a kidney transplant in 2004.

Despite not winning a Rugby World Cup, Lomu still stands as the joint-highest try scorer at the tournament, alongside Bryan Habana.

“His passing leaves not just a big hole in rugby, but in world sport”, Mr Horan told Fox Sports.

A further four came in an incredible performance against England in the semi finals.

Umaga said Lomu should be remembered not only for his phenomenal talent on the field, but also his influence off the park.

His death took the rugby-mad country by surprise with an outpouring of messages of condolence from New Zealand and around the world flooding social media.

Former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick tweeted: “Our thoughts are with the @JONAHTALILOMU family tonight”.

Originally of Tongan descent, Jonah represented New Zealand as a teenager and went on to play 63 matches for the All Blacks. He had a kidney transplant in 2004 but retired from rugby three years later.

“You see the players are getting bigger and bigger but he was the first and I don’t think any rugby player will make the impact that Jonah did on the game”. Lomu jigged, jagged, weaved and went straight over a few Englishmen – a “freight-train in ballet shoes”, I described him.

Mr. Herbert Mensah, President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), hailed Jonah Lomu as one of the Rugby’s greatest ever when the shocking news about his passing broke early this morning. “This is a devastating loss for our family and may I ask that our privacy, especially the privacy of our two very young boys, be respected as we take them through this traumatic time”. Less than two months after the final, the worldwide Rugby Board agreed to end the sport’s amateur status and embraced professionalism.

“It made me battle-hardened for rugby”, he stated.

He became the youngest All Black test player at the age of 19 years and 45 days when he played against France in 1994.

He is survived by his wife Nadene and sons Brayley, 6, and Dhyreille, 5.