Jonah Lomu: The rugby world remembers the ‘Special One’ on what would have been his 50th birthday

The rugby world has remembered Jonah Lomu on what would have been his 50th birthday.

The standout star of the 1990s was a pioneer of rugby. The first true global superstar of the modern game.

At 6’6″ tall and weighing roughly 125 kg, Lomu was a true giant of a man, built for the game of rugby. Able to sprint 100 metres in just 10.80 seconds, the great man could either run through defenders or around them.

Lomu was arguably a huge part of why the sport has become so widespread, inspiring an entire generation to start watching or playing the game.

Sadly Jonah passed away in 2015 after a 20-year battle with a rare and serious kidney condition. On what would have been his 50th birthday, 10 years after his death, fans have been paying their respect to the big man.

He would have been 50 years old today. A man who changed the game of rugby.

Forever in our hearts and minds, Jonah 🤍 pic.twitter.com/8eFIatHVzb

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) May 11, 2025

Fans dedicate posts on X to the great man

Andrew Langley: “Had the pleasure of sharing a couple of pints with the big man in HK in 96. Still for me the best I’ve ever seen. Not the quickest or the most skillful, but the biggest impact the sport as ever witnessed and a top bloke.”

John Martin: “Nothing like him, before or after. A lot of good imitations, but no one dominated or captured the attention of the world like Jonah Lomu. Jonah got me to EVERY game he was playing in. Especially at his peak. Just an absolute weapon.”

Alex Matthews: “Happy Heavenly 50th to one of Rugby’s finest. Forever in our hearts Jonah!”

Cobus: “Best and most destructive wing the game has ever produced. True legend, forever missed but forever remembered!”

Marjorie Jenkins: “He was the ‘Special One’. What a man, what a player. Will/can never be forgotten.”

Brian O’Driscoll remembers

In a documentary released last year – Jonah Lomu: The Lost Tapes – Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll perfectly summed up what the giant All Black winger did for the sport, saying: “From amateur to professionalism it felt like we almost piggy backed on him, on his brand, on his humility, on all of the qualities he had.

“I was lucky enough – well unlucky – to get to play against him on three occasions. The first time New Zealand did a play I knew was coming: 10 to 12, behind 13 to Jonah. I knew it was coming. And I tried my very best, I really did. But I was nothing more than a speed bump in the road for him.”

O’Driscoll added: “He was different from anything we’d seen before 1995 and I don’t know if we’re ever going to see someone make such a huge difference to the sport.”