Hard to believe we are talking about someone who symbolised all that is great in sport in the past tense. At 40 Jonah Lomu is being mourned not only in rugby but among sports fans across the world.
The New Zealand rugby legend kick-started the professional era in the sport with his physicality on the wing - typified by his iconic four tries against England at the 1995 World Cup.
He had to retire early in 2002, due to a rare kidney disease.
He was the youngest ever to wear the all blacks jersey at 19 he announced himself on the world stage at the 1995 world cup in Johannesburg bagging 2 tries against Ireland when the kiwis emerged 43 19 winners and they type of handful he posed to Ireland and every other country at the time summed up by this INPHO snap of Denis Hickie trying to grapple with the man mountain.
Jonah a giant of the game but noted for his sportsmanship and humility who cherished his time playing
for new zealand
Tributes are flooding in as you might expect.
Jonah, a legend of the game and a lovely man off the field. He will be missed. Thoughts with his family #RIPJonah
— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) November 18, 2015
As you'll see from this highlights reel including his 2 against Ireland in 1995 another word could be used to describe Jonah at the height of his powers - 'steamtrain'.
RIP Jonah.
