The rugby world has today lost its first global superstar as Jonah Lomu has died aged 40.
The All Black great, who had been battling with a rare and serious kidney condition since 1997, succumbed to a cardiac arrest only a week after returning from the UK where he spent time for the Rugby World Cup.
He had a kidney transplant in 2004 but the organ stopped functioning in 2011.
Lomu rose to stardom at the 1995 World Cup and his try against England in the semi-finals – bumping off two defenders and using Mike Catt as a door-matt – is widely regarded as the best World Cup try ever.
In two tournament, he scored 15 tries making him, alongside Springbok Bryan Habana, the joint top try-scorer in history.
In his time he won 63 caps for the All Blacks scoring 37 tries between 1994 and 2002.
He also played for the Cardiff Blues and Marseille before his illness got the better of him.
“Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world,” said New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew.
“We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family”