Jonah Lomu

Jonah Tali Lomu (born May 12, 1975) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who played 73 times (63 test matches) as an All Black after debuting in 1994. Lomu, who is currently attempting a comeback after undergoing a kidney transplant in 2004, is generally regarded as the first superstar of rugby union's professional era.

Career Highs

Like John Kirwan, his All Blacks predecessor at position #11 (left wing), Jonah was a phenomenon, and spectators were on their feet whenever he touched the ball. At one time Jonah was considered 'rugby's biggest drawcard', swelling attendances at any match where he appeared.

Related Topics:
John Kirwan - Left wing

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At the age of 19 years and 45 days, Jonah Lomu became the youngest All Black test player as he debuted against France in 1994. His performance was middling - but the best was yet to come.

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1995 World Cup

Jonah stunned international rugby audiences (and unsuspecting players) at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when he scored seven tries in five matches, including four in the semifinals against England.

Related Topics:
1995 Rugby World Cup - England

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His style of play at times defied description; one commentator, Keith Quinn, was famously reduced to gasps as Lomu devastated England's backline. Will Carling labelled Lomu 'a freak' after being steamrollered. Lomu's attacking style was pure power; like a force of nature, he had a tendency to run straight into or over any defender with the misfortune to get in his way. When at the peak of his powers, he regularly defeated up to five players on the way to the tryline.

Related Topics:
Keith Quinn - Will Carling - Misfortune

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1999 World Cup

In 1999, he scored eight tries at the Rugby World Cup. He again played one of his finest matches in pool play against England (ref: http://stats.allblacks.com/teamsheet.asp?level1=All_Blacks&Level2=ABC&MT_ID=2050). Through his career, Lomu has scored 8 tries against England -- more than any other All Black.

Related Topics:
1999 - Rugby World Cup

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The All Blacks also played an epic World Cup final match at Ellis Park against the Springboks (ref: http://stats.allblacks.com/teamsheet.asp?level1=All_Blacks&Level2=ABC&MT_ID=1992), but despite his prodigious efforts, Lomu has never scored a try against that team.

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Bledisloe Cup

In 2000, Lomu starred in one of the most spectacular Bledisloe Cup matches ever (ref: http://stats.allblacks.com/teamsheet.asp?level1=All_Blacks&Level2=ABC&MT_ID=2058)

Related Topics:
2000 - Bledisloe Cup

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, "brushing off the Australian backs like flies" to set up an early try. Later in the match, he "brushed past a desperate Stephen Larkham to tip-toe down the line and score the winning try".

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Sevens

Lomu first came to international attention at the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens tournament (ref: http://www.rwcsevens.com/History/Great+Players/lomu.htm), as part of a fearsome team including Lomu, Eric Rush, and Christian Cullen.

Related Topics:
1994 - Hong Kong Sevens - Eric Rush - Christian Cullen

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At the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur he won a gold medal representing New Zealand in the Sevens Rugby event.

Related Topics:
1998 Commonwealth Games - Kuala Lumpur

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Lomu also led the New Zealand Sevens team to victory at the 2001 Sevens World Cup, filling in for Rush, who suffered a broken leg during the competition.

Related Topics:
2001 - Sevens World Cup

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NZ Provincial sides

Apart from Counties, Lomu played for several provincial teams, in the NPC and Super 12 competitions. These included the Auckland Blues, Waikato Chiefs, and later the Wellington Lions and Hurricanes.

Related Topics:
NPC - Super 12 - Auckland - Blues - Waikato - Chiefs - Wellington - Lions - Hurricanes

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