The Greatest: Left wing
In the end it was laughable how far away this guy was. Jonah Lomu smashed all competition, taking over 60 per cent of the vote.
In the end it was laughable how far away this guy was. Jonah Lomu smashed all competition, taking over 60 per cent of the vote.
He won 63 New Zealand caps in an illustrious eight-year All Black career, tragically cut short by a rare kidney disease which required a transplant.
Lomu burst onto the international rugby scene during the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens tournament and was widely acknowledged to be the top player at the 1995 World Cup even though New Zealand lost the championship game to the host Springboks. He is still the top World Cup try-scorer with 15.
A 1.95m and 115kg leviathan who could run 100m in less than 12 seconds, Lomu was referred to as a 'freak' by England captan Will Carling after he single-handedly destroyed England in the 1995 World Cup semi-final in Cape Town. Most others saw him with kinder eyes, and it is not understating to say he changed the face of rugby forever.
He famously reduced a New Zealand commentator to gasps when he shredded England – his favourite opponent in terms of tries scored – in that 1995 semi-final, and his unique bulldozing style of running will probably never be replicated as the athletes in the sport get bigger and stronger year on year.
He was initially diagnosed with the kidney problem in 1997, but initially responded to treatment to enjoy vintage years from 1998 to 2000. However in 2001, the problem flared up again, and it soon became apparent he would need a transplant, which he had in 2004.
Once healthy again, he attempted three comebacks, all cut short by injury and once he realised his dream of making the 2007 World Cup squad for New Zealand was over, he stepped back saying: “I have failed, but not failed myself.”
But enough talk… have a look it this and enjoy the best of Jonah.
And now check out the polling section below the features box on the front page to vote for the outside centre of the professional era… hurry, you only have 48 hours from the time this article was published!