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18 November 2015

Jonah Lomu - New Zealand's Rugby Legend dies suddenly at age 40

New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu dies suddenly aged 40

  • Jonah Lomu, who won 63 Test caps for New Zealand, has died aged 40
  • The winger had arrived in Auckland on Tuesday from England via Dubai on Tuesday night
  • All Blacks Doctor John Mayhew confirmed Lomu had died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning
  • Lomu announced himself on the world stage during the 1995 World Cup when he helped New Zealand reach the final
Lomu arrived back in Auckland on Tuesday night from England - where he had been working at the Rugby World Cup - and had spent a few days in Dubai on the way home with his family. He died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning. 
The All Black icon is survived by his wife Nadene and sons Brayley, six, and Dhyreille, five
Lomu became a household name during the 1995 World Cup in South Africa where he helped New Zealand reach the final but eventually lost to the hosts. 
Lomu had suffered from health problems since his retirement from playing in 2002 due to a rare kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome. He underwent a kidney transplant in 2004 and had been on dialysis treatment for the past 10 years. 
One the defining moments of Lomu's career in an All Blacks shirt was during the 1995 World Cup semi final against England when he scored four tries and trampled over a number of England players, including Mike Catt and Tony Underwood.
Jonah Lomu pictured in Dubai on November 15, 2015
Lomu with a friend in Dubai
Jonah Lomu posted a number of pictures on November 15 on his Twitter page from Dubai with the caption: 'Thank you brother for hosting me and my family great food and great company thank u @QaisUAE #MYDUBAI'
Jonah Lomu in Dubai
Jonah Lomu in Dubai before his death
Lomu stopped over in Dubai on his way back to New Zealand after spending time in England for the Rugby World Cup, he posted the pictures with the Tweet: 'Night out in Dubai with my great friend and brother thank you for looking after me ad my family'
Jonah Lomu goes around the diving tackle of Rob Andrew of England to score his second try in 1995
Jonah Lomu goes around the diving tackle of Rob Andrew of England to score his second try in 1995
Lomu dives over to score against England in the 1995 World Cup - the tournament where he made his name
Lomu dives over to score against England in the 1995 World Cup - the tournament where he made his name
The Auckland-born giant went on to star at the 1999 showpiece before retiring three years later with 63 caps and 43 Test tries to his name. 
He had arrived in Auckland on Tuesday after travelling back from London where he had been for the Rugby World Cup working as an ambassador for sponsors Heineken.
Former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew confirmed Lomu had died on Wednesday morning.
'On behalf of the Lomu family, I can confirm that Jonah Lomu died this morning, most probably about 8 or 9 this morning,' he said.
'The family are obviously devastated, as are friends and acquaintances.
'The family have requested privacy at this stage, they are obviously going through a terrible time.
Lomu was in London for the Rugby World Cup and is pictured here performing a haka during a photocall
Lomu was in London for the Rugby World Cup and is pictured here performing a haka during a photocall
Lomu said during the interview that he wanted to live to see his sons Brayley, six, and Dhyreille, five, celebrate their 21st birthdays
Lomu said during the interview that he wanted to live to see his sons Brayley, six, and Dhyreille, five, celebrate their 21st birthdays

JONAH LOMU FACT FILE

Full name: Jonah Tali Lomu
Born: May 12, 1975 in Auckland, New Zealand
Height: 6ft 5in
Weight: 18st 10lb 
Position: Wing
Provincial/State sides: North Harbour, Wellington, Counties Manukau
Super Rugby sides: Hurricanes, Chiefs, Blues
Senior clubs: Marseille, Cardiff Blues, Wainuiomata RFC
All Blacks Test Caps: 63
All Blacks Test points:  185 (37 tries)
'It was totally unexpected. Jonah and his family arrived back from the United Kingdom last night and he suddenly died this morning.'
New Zealand Rugy CEO Steve Tew said: 'We're all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah Lomu.
'We're lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah's family.
'Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world.'
And many of the sport's big names took to social media to pay tribute to someone who was in the United Kingdom for the recent Rugby World Cup, which was won by the All Blacks.
Former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick took to Twitter to say: 'Our thoughts are with the @JONAHTALILOMU family tonight. A very special person. @AllBlacks.'
Current All Blacks favourite Dan Carter tweeted: 'I still can't believe the sad news. Love & thoughts go out to Jonahs family #RIPJonah.'
And former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies said: 'Can't believe that Jonah Lomu has passed away. Was with him and his wife and family for an evening last month. So sad, life is so cruel.
'RIP Jonah you were a true legend and a gentleman.You changed the game of rugby and will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with your family.'
New Zealand prime minister John Key was also quick to pay tribute to Auckland-born Lomu - who is best remembered for scoring seven tries in five matches at the 1995 World Cup - including four in the semi-final against England in Cape Town. 
Lomu races clear of the Welsh defence during the 1995 World Cup to score a try as New Zealand went on to reach the final
Lomu races clear of the Welsh defence during the 1995 World Cup to score a try as New Zealand went on to reach the final
The iconic All Black Lomu spent time playing for Cardiff Blues towards the end of his career
The iconic All Black Lomu spent time playing for Cardiff Blues towards the end of his career
Key tweeted: 'Deeply saddened to hear of Jonah Lomu's unexpected passing this morning. The thoughts of the entire country are with his family.'
Lomu played for several domestic teams - Auckland Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes in Super Rugby, as well as North Harbour, Counties Manukau and Wellington.
He also had a stint with Cardiff Blues, for whom he played 10 matches for from 2005-06, before retiring from the game in 2007.
Lomu (left) and wife Nadene Quirk in 2014 in Auckland, New Zealand.  (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Lomu with sons Brayley, who is now six, and Dhyreille, now five.
Lomu with his wife Nadene Quirk in 2014  and pictured with his sons Brayley, who is now six, and Dhyreille, now five in 2002
The Queen  accepts signed rugby shirts from All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick (left) as Lomu (C) and Zinzan Brooke look on
The Queen accepts signed rugby shirts from All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick (left) as Lomu (C) and Zinzan Brooke look on
Lomu (left) and Karl Te Nana (right)  with the Melrose Cup after the Rugby World Cup 7's win in 2001
Lomu (left) and Karl Te Nana (right) with the Melrose Cup after the Rugby World Cup 7's win in 2001
He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007 and the IRB Hall of Fame four years later.
In an interview with Sportsmail’s Oliver Holt before the tournament in August, Lomu talked about his illness, saying he wanted to live to see his sons Brayley, six, and Dhyreille, five, celebrate their 21st birthdays.
‘There are no guarantees that will happen, but it’s my focus,’ he said. ‘It’s a milestone that every parent wants to get to. My dad died young and that makes you think.
‘I want my boys to be healthy and if they get to 21, they should be fit and healthy and live a normal life.’ Despite his illness, Lomu starred at the 1995 World Cup, helping the All Blacks reach the final in which they lost to South Africa.
New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu tries to avoid the tackle of South African fullback Percy Montgomery
New Zealand's winger Jonah Lomu is tackled by South African's flanker Rassie Erasmus
Lomu in action for New Zealand in the third place play-off match against South Africa in 1999

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