Jonah Lomu final interview

John McBeth was one of New Zealand’s favourite rugby commentators when Lomu was at his peak.

The rugby world is mourning after former All Black Jonah Lomu passed away suddenly early this morning, aged 40.

That same year, Britain’s Sunday Times hailed him as the most influential player in rugby history, crediting him with boosting the game’s popularity as it made a hard transition to professionalism after more than a century as an amateur code.

A year later, he made his mark on the World Cup stage by scoring seven tries in five games, including four in a famous victory over England.

The stabbing death of a friend steered Lomu away from street gangs in the blue-collar suburbs of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, where he grew up.

He suffered from a rare kidney disorder known as Nephrotic syndrome, and underwent life-saving kidney transplant surgery in 2004. “Heartfelt sympathy to family a world of admirers who, like us, loved Jonah Lomu #RIPJonah”. “He was virtually unstoppable and, in every sense of the phrase, he was a giant of rugby union”.

Nadene Lomu, the wife and manager of the rugby great, confirmed Lomu’s death in a statement Wednesday.

New Zealand Rugy CEO Steve Tew said: “We’re all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah Lomu”.

“He was a huge man, but he also had the pace of a sprinter and, when he got half a chance, with his bulk and the acceleration he was able to produce, he was virtually unstoppable and scored a few marvellous tries, sadly a few of them against Scotland”.

“There’s never been another Jonah Lomu”, he told reporters.

But he will be mostly remembered for his rugby prowess and his role in helping rugby union enter the professional era.

Former All Blacks coach Graham Henry – “It’s just so sad, I saw him at the World Cup and he looked so well”.

Watch Wesley College’s tribute to Lomu in the video above…

He returned to New Zealand in 2011 for the All Blacks’ successful World Cup campaign, starring at the tournament’s opening ceremony, but spent 16 days in hospital after a health scare linked to his kidney condition.

“Such sad news hearing news just now of @JONAHTALILOMU. A legend and a true inspiration he kept fighting”.

Athletes from around the globe paid their respects to Lomu.

“Thoughts and Prayers going out to the Lomu Family”. Was lucky enough to play along side the big man for a season.

The winger, who burst on to the global scene at the 1995 World Cup, had a stint with Cardiff Blues, for whom he played 10 matches for from 2005-06. “We had to close him down or make sure he doesn’t receive the ball otherwise he would be over the white line in a flash”.