SPIRO: Farewell Jonah Lomu, forever young

NZ never actually played against the Wallabies at the 95 World Cup but I know what you mean. He was man against boys.

Well penned KPM

The comparison with Achilles is particularly apt, as Lomu is what a great warrior looks like in reality, by which I mean that the elite of the sporting world would also be the best in old-fashioned battle, and Lomu is perhaps the greatest athlete in the history of sport in terms of his total range of abilities: no one has ever had so much size and speed together, let alone with the skill level and stepping ability. So in real battle this is what the superhuman warrior, supreme athlete and human physical specimen would look like, a kind of modern Achilles. This is what a warrior looks like when drawn from massive modern populations, a range of physical types, not tiny ancient tribal groups. The mythical Achilles is doubtless based on a historical figure who if he came into contact with Lomu, would be toast (and that goes for Hector, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane too, although the last three were probably just good strategists rather than personal combatants). He is the greatest tested warrior in history.

beautifully said. Wholeheartedly agree. As a Kiwi living in Oz the outpouring of genuine respect and sadness says it all.

Fitting analogy Spiro. Nice piece thanks. The man helped put rugby on the map, perhaps more than any other in the modern era. . I will never forget that piece of commentary from Keith Quinn when he ran over Catt to score. It is seared into my brain. That a senior and respected commentator was reduced to such a lack of superlatives probably says it all as far as Jonah's impact on the game. But it was Jonah's nature, his grace, humility and genuine care for others that sets him apart. I feel for Nadine and his boys, for their loss will be even more acute. Respect...

At least OB, you fella's had the honor of having the Big Fella, play for your Chiefs, something we Highlanders can't crow about!! lol. Apart from that, as a personality, Jonah, although he gave us great memories, in that Black jersey, he actually did a lot for the game off the field, especially in his return to South Africa, just recently. Doing a presentation, along with reuniting with several of those from 95, including visiting an ailing Joost van der Weisthaven. RIP Jonah.

Yep Colossus, you might also throw into that, an IRB Legend & Hall of Famer, along with being a seven's legend, in the class of Serevi, Cullen etc. His gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in KL in seven's. As Spiro stated Murdoch might have wanted him, but he would have never "owned" Jonah, as what Jonah did on the field of play, he did just as much off. A true legend of the game we love, & with that all one can say is thanks for the memories, Big Fella. RIP Jonah Lomu

Nice article Spiro, but there are a few flaws, as to say. In regards to Laurie Mains,( who was at high school with me), it was he who actually told Jonah, pre the 95 WRC, that he wouldn't be going, unless he raised his fitness levels. At about that time Jonah had been diagnosed with his illness. Jonah,was an incredible athlete, in his prime, & I would go to say, at that particular time & possibly even now, there would be no other No.11 in world rugby that has come close. He still holds, the WRC try scoring record, an achievement he set in just two tournaments. Along with what he has done in 15 a side rugby, he also did in seven's, playing against players as the likes of Serevi, who like Jonah, & Christian Cullen, are Legends of the International seven's. Even playing in 2000, to greatest game ever played,( as it was classed at that time) after returning from a lay off, through illness, just proved how good he was by returning to that level. Geez he even had the final say!!!! It's has been a sad year for NZ rugby, losing three of our very good players, Norm Berryman, Jerry Collins & now the great Jonah Lomu. RIP Jonah, & condolences to your famiy.

Spiro: an eloquent sensitive critique. Reading the words expressed by other contributors. It is simple to understand why the gent’s, power; size, talent and scoring prowess captivated the world rugby public and elevated the sport to a new level. In an interview I watched, Jonah acknowledged his health restraint, only allowed him to perform at 75/ 80% of his ability. I now wonder, did we ever witness the great athlete play at his best?

Jonah's career at peak short lived like Boxer's Ali and Tyson but there's was illness and the years I watched him on TV at his peak it was 1994 and 1995 and then in Autumn 1997 when he gave ex Rugby Union cum Rugby League and back again John Bentley a huge welcome back tackle in the All Blacks tour of England and then 1998-2000 he was on fire again.

Jonah Lomu was every inch the prototype of the modern rugby athlete, and yet in many ways he was very much an old-school rugby man. As an Australian, I admired him from the day I saw him dominate our schoolboys at the SFS playing at number 8. Lomu always utterly respected his opponents, and he also respected the traditions, culture and elder statesmen of his teams and the wider game. He never put himself above the team, indeed genuine humility was a mark of the man. A more affable man you would struggle to find. The nearest thing to 'show-boating' Lomu ever did was shaving his jersey number into an eyebrow - no post-try histrionics, no over-the-top self-congratulation. He may have to contend with folks like Richie McCaw and Colin Meads for the title of best ever NZ player, but I doubt that any player has ever brought rugby more global awareness in such a unanimously positive light. For me, the true measure of Jonah Lomu's greatness as a person is that despite the havoc he wreaked on the field, he enjoyed the genuine affection of not only his teammates and fellow New Zealanders, but also that of his opponents and their supporters. Was there ever a sportsman so terrifying yet at the same time so universally loved? If our goal in life is to leave our chosen path in better shape than we found it, then Lomu's legacy is secure. Jonah Lomu brought honour to his family, and he honoured both the All Blacks and the game of rugby. An honourable man.

I will forever remember the sheer pace and raw power of Jonah Lomu with incredibly joy, sitting watching Rugby as an All Black fan during his time as an All Black was magical. I will also never forget his incredible show of sportsmanship after the loss to France in the RWC1999. When every Kiwi in the world was completely gutted, Jonah led the way congratulating a brilliant French effort that was to good for the All Blacks on the day. Legend

NZ Herald Jonah remembered http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11547556

I too remember being at the Sfs it must have been around '95. I remember quite vividly thinking that it was like watching primary school rugby. Give it to the big boy was the ploy who trampled all before him. Multiple men in gold were hanging off him with half hearted self preservation "tackles". I can remember thinking this shouldn't be happening, it's international rugby, this is the wallabies ! This is not a slight on the wallabies but a tribute to the strength, speed, size and skill of the man in black. Rip Jonah.

A great totara has fallen. Haere, haere, haere. Last night I watched the documentary Lomu made earlier this year - 'Back to South' when he went back to South Africa to visit members of the 1995 Springbok team who he'd played against in the 1995 RWC final. In amongst his time in SA he visited a young rugby player who was showing exactly the same freakish sort of promise Jonah exhibited as a young rugby player at Wesley College - a young man from the same sort of background. The gift Jonah gave that young man goes far beyond the rugby ball and shoes he presented him with.....and that's the gift he left with us all. His final act in SA was to visit Joost van der Westhuizen to leave him with his belief in the power of hope. Our wealth is never in our pockets - it belongs to those who touch our hearts, and surely Jonah not only touched hearts around the world but he also lit that fire of hope and belief in what often may feel impossible. Jerry will be keen to have you starting........you will never be on the bench upstairs ! Kia kaha to his wife and his two young boys. A bitter sweet loss he himself said it would be - to die young and not be there to see his boys grow up, yet the sweetness of memories he would leave for them to treasure. Such true words.

Great tribute Spiro. As a school boy; Jonah played number eight for New Zealand Schools against Australia Schools and even then he was a very special player. On the Australian tour he would pick the ball up from the base of the scrum burst through the first line of defence and then run and out sprint the opposition's fastest backs. To make the All Blacks is a huge honour. To make the All Blacks as a nineteen year old is so very special - it's amazing! Jonah inspired the greatest change in world rugby. He was the catalyst, the change agent if you will for rugby to eventually transition internationally to a major professional sport. Jonah, our prayers are with you and for your family at this very sad time. We salute you for the massive contribution you brought to the game and now the rugby world is very much diminished by your passing. E te Rangitira Tenei te mihinui atu ki a koe, Tenei te mihi aroha atu ki tou hoa rangatira Tenei te mihi aroha ki te whanau pani E Jonah Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai Moe mai i te atamira o nga tupuna Haere, haere, haere Haere atu ki to tupuna Ma te Atua E manaaki ki a koe Me to whanau pani No reira e te Rangatira Tena koe, Tena koe, Tena koe. No reira Tena koutou katoa. Rest in peace, Jonah.

Easily the best rugby player ever and the game's only true superstar. No one has ever dominated matches like him and no one has been anything like the box-office thrill that drew people who had nothing to do with rugby to go and watch. No one could win matches single-handedly like him. The Pele or Bradman of rugby. A magnanimous figure off the field too: when asked about the 1995 final he spoke about how wonderful it was to be part of this nation defining moment, not about the All Blacks' loss. To some extent he defines rugby union as no player has had anything like the mythic status in the non-rugby world and he really created the image of the modern sport. Also, on a different note, he is the ultimate representative of the incredible Pacific island talent for Rugby and sport in general. Another side note is that he was a total sportsman: because of his unique combination of giant size and extraordinary pace, his extraordinary ability to step and pass are forgotten. A look at one of those semi-final tries against England will see him simply stepping past one of the defenders, and elsewhere there are remarkable passes out of the tackle. A sportsman blessed with every gift. People like him aren't supposed to die, but he'll live on as a divinely talented human being and perfect gentleman for as long as sport played.

Brilliant read Spiro, thanks. Stuff about Lomu I didn't know. I first saw him in HK when I was living there and he was a 17yo (?) unknown who dominated the 7's tournament. To validate what I saw on the field he sat right next to me in the adjoining Heineken box after the day's play and I stood up for the novelty of comparison. What a giant. I also recall the try he scored against the French in the famous '99 QF loss where the French fullback simply waved him over the line. That they came back from that embarrassment was remarkable. Vale Jonah. We'll not see your like again.

Ave atque vale.

Fare thee well, Jonah. We may never see your like again.