Jonah Lomu

The first true global superstar of rugby, Jonah Lomu redefined the game with his power and grace.

Jonah Tali Lomu (12 May 1975 – 18 November 2015) was a New Zealand professional rugby union player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential players in the history of the sport, and as one of the most talented sportsmen of all time. Lomu is widely considered to have been the first true global superstar of rugby, and consequently had a huge impact on the game. For his fast and effortless style of play, Lomu was nicknamed the "freight train in ballet shoes", and was celebrated for his ability to shrug off tackles from multiple opponents at once.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Jonah Tali Lomu
Born: 12 May 1975
Birthplace: Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand
Died: 18 November 2015
Place of death: Auckland, New Zealand
School: Wesley College
Relatives: John Tamanika (cousin), Seti Kiole (cousin)
Height: 196 cm / 6 ft 5 in

Lore & Background

Born in Pukekohe to Tongan immigrants from Haʻapai, Lomu grew up between rural Tonga and South Auckland. Attending Wesley College, he excelled in athletics and both rugby codes before pursuing a professional career. He became the youngest ever All Black when he played his first international in 1994 at the age of 19 years and 45 days. He was acknowledged as the top player at the 1995 World Cup for his 4-try performance in the semi-final against England.

He shares with South African Bryan Habana the Rugby World Cup all-time try scoring record of 15, which he accumulated in only two tournaments. At the height of his fame in the mid-1990s, Lomu became a globally recognised cultural icon of South Auckland and its Pasifika community. His performance at that Rugby World Cup and others that followed established him as "rugby union's biggest drawcard", just as the game turned fully professional, being a major audience pull in any match in which he appeared.

He used his celebrity to support Pasifika community efforts and charities such as UNICEF, and often paid bills for his childhood friends in Māngere. Playing on the wing, Lomu finished his international career with 63 caps and 37 tries. Lomu was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame on 9 October 2007, and the IRB Hall of Fame on 24 October 2011. In 1995 he was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a genetic kidney disorder.

After a period of hiatus, he returned to play domestically rather than internationally. Lomu played for several domestic New Zealand provincial or Super Rugby sides, and late in his career played club rugby in both Wales and France. These included the Auckland Blues, with whom he won the inaugural 1996 Super 12 Final with, Chiefs and Hurricanes, and Counties Manukau, Wellington, and later North Harbour and the Cardiff Blues. His illness forced his retirement from professional rugby in 2007 at the age of 32. After returning from abroad, Lomu died unexpectedly on 18 November 2015 at home in Auckland.

Reader's Guide

Jonah Lomu was born in Pukekohe, Auckland, on 12 May 1975 to Tongan parents who had emigrated from Holopeka, a village on Lifuka in the Haʻapai islands. He spent some of his early childhood in Holopeka with his aunt and uncle, then moved back to the Auckland suburb of Māngere. He attended Wesley College, where he excelled in athletics and rugby. He was first spotted playing for Wesley College by Counties Manukau senior coach Ross Cooper in 1991.

Cooper gave Lomu his senior provincial debut for Counties against Horowhenua in May 1994, and later that year, as an All Blacks selector, was part of the panel that selected Lomu for his test debut. Lomu started his rugby union career in the forwards, mostly as an openside flanker, sometimes to the blindside, before switching to the left wing. He represented New Zealand in the national under-19 side in 1993, as well as the under-21 side the following year.

He first came to international attention at the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens tournament. At the age of 19 years and 45 days, Lomu became the youngest All Black test player as he debuted on the wing against France in 1994, breaking a record that had been held by Edgar Wrigley since 1905. The match was played at Lancaster Park in Christchurch, and the All Blacks lost 22–8. The second match was played at Eden Park in Auckland with France winning again, 23–20.

Lomu marked Emile N'tamack and later said that his inexperience led to him being exposed by the French team. Despite having just two All Black caps, Lomu was included in the squad for the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. Lomu scored seven tries in five matches, including four tries in the semi-final against England. After the game, England captain Will Carling said: "He is a freak and the sooner he goes away the better".

New Zealand played the World Cup final at Ellis Park against South Africa. Neither side scored a try, with South Africa coming out on top 15–12 after kicking a drop-goal in extra time. Following the World Cup, Lomu played in Bledisloe Cup matches, Tri-Nations matches, and tours. At the end of 1996, Lomu was diagnosed with a rare and serious kidney disorder, which saw him take time off from the sport. At the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, he won a gold medal representing New Zealand in the Sevens Rugby event.