Cardiff Blues to honour former player Jonah Lomu against Harlequins on Thursday

“It’s unbelievable what he did in that ’95 World Cup”. “He changed the face of the game in terms of what has followed on since. You know, our thoughts and our prayers go out to them”.

“If anybody could lose their head you would nearly allow him to because of his stature in the game but he never did that, it was always team first and these are the things you remember and that you pass on”.

“Those were iconic images of one of the greatest players of all time and I was privileged to play against him that day and discuss it since”.

All Blacks past and present were quick to pay tribute to Lomu.

His family announced the sad news online last last night. He also joined the IRB Hall of Fame four years later.

New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu seen here in 2011. He was a freak of nature.

Speaking to the BBC, New Zealand Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman said Lomu “was the first global rugby superstar”.

Former England worldwide Mike Catt said Jonah Lomu had “put me on the map” for the “wrong reasons” as he paid a fond tribute to the late New Zealand star.

Lomu’s passing was felt most deeply in his home country. “He will be sadly missed by everyone and all our thoughts are with his family at this sad time”.

Others were quick to acknowledge the significant contribution of Lomu to the game.

“He made such an impact on rugby union”.

“I can honestly say we never had any issues with him thinking he was bigger than the team”.

Speaking on the Anton Savage Show on Today FM, O’Driscoll said Lomu “changed the dynamic of rugby”.

“He was a monster of a rugby player, but off the field, he was as warm as anyone you could ever meet”. A man who reinvented the wing position who, in his pomp, was simply unplayable, no matter who the opposition.

“Halpin ran past Mick Popplewell and Poppy said ‘where are you going Gaz?’, and Gary said ‘I’ve to go over and tackle him'”.

Fitzpatrick said that “speaks volumes” as to what it meant to Lomu – a proud All Black and a proud New Zealander. A very special person. Lomu, who won 63 caps for the All Blacks, had suffered from health problems since his retirement from the worldwide game in 2002 due to a rare kidney disease. My sincerest condolences go out to them and all of Jonah’s family and friends at this very hard time.

Lomu freely leant his support to many causes and his penultimate tweet was to Northamptonshire man Zac Forskitt, who is battling two froms of cancer.