RUGBY COMMUNITY MOURNS LOSS OF JONAH LOMU

The global Rugby community is in mourning following the sudden passing of New Zealand Rugby legend Jonah Lomu. 

Lomu was considered the first truly global Rugby star and is synonymous with the game, having represented the All Blacks from 1994 to 2001. He retired from playing in 2007 due to health complications relating to a kidney disorder but remained in the game as one of its greatest ambassadors. 

Queensland Rugby Union Executive General Manager – Reds, Daniel Herbert, played against Lomu for the majority of his career and said he had left an incredible legacy.

“Queensland Rugby and the community of Rugby in Queensland are shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Jonah Lomu - one of the great players and also one of the great gentlemen of the game,” Herbert said. 

“I had the privilege of playing against Jonah for several years and I don't think I've seen the likes of him before or since and I'd be surprised if in my lifetime I ever do again.

“He's a loss to the game of Rugby, he's a loss to the whole worldwide community of Rugby, but his legend will live on and he will continually be regarded as the benchmark of modern-day wingers, in particular, and his contribution to the game is there for everybody to see.

“Jonah for me stands head and shoulders above anyone. He's the first true global superstar and in terms of the game worldwide he's known in pockets where they don't even have a Rugby club. He transcended the game. He is probably the first and only real global Rugby star to the point where I would regard him as the Jordan or the Gretzky of Rugby.”