Jonah Lomu had passed away. In light of the Sam Burgess saga, I’d been trying to write an article about rugby’s cross code specialists. But the shocking piece of news that I read, as I was languidly going through my Facebook timeline, compelled me to set all that aside.
There was an immediate lump in my throat. He was rugby’s superstar – a man mountain, the unstoppable force, and arguably the most important player of the last 20 years, perhaps of all time.
He was with us just now, and now he is no more. It was all a bit surreal.
I’m not sure if many of you – or any of you – are familiar with Bollywood history, but here in India we had an actor named Rajesh Khanna, who is recognised as the ‘original superstar’ of Bollywood, due to 15 consecutive solo hit films in the late 1960s and early ’70s.
There were many great actors before him, but he was still the first icon, and it may not be too tenuous a comparison to liken Jonah Lomu to him.
Even though there had been numerous rugby greats before 1994, Lomu was the first person to put rugby on the global map. Many people in India paid their respects on hearing the news, the Italian football league, Serie A, put out a post on social media expressing their condolences, and there was a comment here on The Roar itself about a Lomu cut-out outside a McDonald’s in Barcelona.
Sometimes sport teaches you lessons about life – just as one person can’t be bigger than the game, and one can’t beat the inevitability of life, that it’s bound to end.
Think back to one of the greatest rugby moments of all time – Joost van der Westhuizen’s tackle on the big man himself in the 1995 World Cup final. Now one of those two stalwarts is gone while the other manfully clings on to life.
It reminds me of a poem (funny how poetry is the first thing that comes to our minds when something poignant happens) I read in school called Death The Leveller, by James Shirley.
It speaks about how no matter the social status or deeds done in life, everyone, every single one of us, will end up in the same state. So we must be humble and grateful for everything we have.
While the poem has an overall morbid tone, it does end on this very apt note:
Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.
And it’s true.
Jonah may have left us, but he has left us with innumerable memories and some astonishingly spectacular highlight reels that will continue to enthral for years to come.
While I never got to watch him live, I still consider myself lucky as nearly all his clips are available to experience him in all his majesty, swatting aside defenders like flies, and taking huge, gazelle-like strides on his way to yet another try.
And it’s his legacy – of being a behemoth, whatever you may call him on the pitch, but all the same being a humble, gentle giant off it – that will live on.
In many ways, one never really dies.
It’s a concept that is common to nearly all cultures, and it is true in a sense. All these people that have passed away in recent times – Jonah Lomu, Jerry Collins, Phil Hughes last year, the victims of the numerous terror attacks we saw recently, or perhaps someone close to you who is no more; remember that they have left behind fond memories, and by virtue of these they still live, in our hearts, and in our minds.
I want to quote another poem that I read in school, which I feel is titled quite fittingly in this regard – Because I Could Not Stop For Death by Emily Dickinson.
Really, you’d imagine that Jonah wouldn’t have stopped for death, rather it would have been the other way round.
Rest in peace, big man. The game they play in heaven just got a whole lot harder.
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
Really nice piece Chinmay, thanks for sharing.
The Poet
Guest
Great tributes all and touching; the immortal are in the end mortal. An excellent article, bookend with a wonderful first verse from Emily Dickinson. Inspiring.
Old Bugger
Guest
+1
Harry
Guest
A great tribute to a man who truly became, and remains, a global icon.
BluesMan
Guest
Another great tribute to the man mountain.
BluesMan
Guest
Lovely tribute
Paul
Guest
Chinmay what a wonderful article it was indeed a very sad day Jonah was just such a down to earth friendly honest fellow I am still sad over his passing he really did touch millions of people around the world I cant remember any sports person in the world who has had the same amount of exposure on their passing as Jonah has.Even Melbourne newspapers gave it front page and two page spreads on the big man. Sincere condolences to Jonahs family. Rest ln Peace Jonah we will miss you.
gaza
Guest
Tragic news good article saw him first play in a curtain raiser to an oz samoa test many years ago From memory he played in the forwards & totally destroyed the opposition Watched in awe & thought when is this guy going to be put into the all blacks & it was not long afterwards it happened & we were all blessed to marvel at his prodigious talent & genuine humility RIP Big Man
Mickey Brown
Guest
Dear New Zealand and the World of Rugby. I am an English Rugby Fan and have followed Jonah Lomu’s career throughout, my father was a British Lion in the 60’s and we are so sad to hear about the sudden loss of Jonah Lomu not only an amazing All Black but a true gentleman ! My sincere condolences to your brilliant nation. Kind regards Mickey Brown. ‘Jonah Lomu’ Well such a tragic loss The coin of life he lost the toss But on the pitch he was so rich With Jonah definitely the boss Legend comes to mind So rare and hard to find A mountain figure with a hair trigger With speed to burn yet Oh so kind A shock to all in sport He never came up short Strength of a tank, Major in his rank Was always holding court An All Black and so proud The fans they screamed so loud Try after Try not a dry eye As all our heads are bowed What a parting High World Champions you can sigh You witnessed that and tipped your hat Now a Haka in the sky ! Mickey Brown. 18/11/2015. R.I.P. Big fella.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Well put, Chinmay, Great tribute to the great man. Though I did get to see him play - at the 'greatest game of all' - Sydney 2000. Jonah won it at the death, just. He was one non-Aussie legend that I, and many others, had the deepest respect for. His interview with Phil Kearns during the World Cup was gracious, noble and generous. He was a rugby statesman. The world's noblest living All Black no longer walks with us. Jonah Lomu I salute you.
Old Bugger
Guest
Well written CH....cheers mate.
wardad
Guest
Thank you Chinmay . Jonah was more than just a great rugby player to many of us particularly in NZ and Tonga . To us older folks he was that awesomely talented younger family member we all beamed at and fussed over at family gatherings our chests swelling with pride and joy at his feats . Younger members of our rugby family would look to him like that older brother that was always away doing amazing things that was read about with eager anticipation and a longing to emulate . All while the famiy built an ever larger scrapbook of treasured exploits . Then when he retired and came into his maturity he became part of the glue that binds our family together . And we grieve for our brother now lost to us in body ,but not in spirit .
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
+ 1
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
+ 1
Hertryk
Guest
Great piece.. RIP Say Hi to Jerry and may you both just love the game they play in heaven..
Akari
Roar Rookie
Great and touching piece, Chinmay, and thank you. A very positive way of seeing the passing of a great and humble man and all others close our own selves, eg, family, etc.
John Nicholson
Guest
Wonderful piece. Thank you Chinmay.....
James Mc
Guest
Thanks Chinmay. That an awesome tribute to the big man
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
well written and very apt - thank you for your homage to one of the greats of rugby if not the GREATEST