Jonah Lomu: Tributes pour in as world mourns rugby’s ‘first global superstar’

The sports world is in mourning following the death of former New Zealand rugby union star Jonah Lomu.

The 40-year-old, who scored 37 tries in 63 Tests for the All Blacks, had been diagnosed with a rare kidney condition – Nephrotic Syndrome – in 1995, which cut short his stellar career. He had a kidney transplant in 2004.

All Blacks past and present were quick to pay tribute to Lomu, the game’s first global superstar.

Lomu’s influence also inspired a generation of rugby players outside of New Zealand.

Despite not winning the World Cup, Lomu is the tournament’s joint top try scorer along with South Africa wing Bryan Habana, scoring 15 tries in 11 matches.

Lomu’s record eight tries at the 1999 event in England, where the All Blacks lost in the semifinals, was matched by Habana in 2007 and New Zealand’s Julian Savea in 2015.

In a career full of highlights, Lomu’s four-try demolition of England in the 1995 World Cup semifinal stands out. Given his power and physique, once the Kiwi got going he was almost impossible to stop.

Shortly before his retirement, Lomu, who was the son of Tongan immigrants, made 10 appearances for Cardiff Blues in Wales.

Lomu was widely viewed as a player who transcended rugby. On Wednesday, other sports stars, notably former England soccer captain David Beckham, took to social media to pay their respects.

It wasn’t only in rugby that Lomu shined, having excelled in athletics as a schoolboy.

Man mountain —

New Zealand's Jonah Lomu was arguably the best known rugby player of all time and one who enjoyed the greatest stature in the game over the past two decades.

Heavyweight star —

During the mid-1990s and early 2000s, Lomu terrorized opposition defenses, leaving players dazed and confused. Here, France flyhalf Christophe Lamaison is brushed aside during a compelling World Cup semifinal match at Twickenham, England in 1999.

Massive talent —

Lomu made his international debut in 1994. At 1.96 meters tall and weighing 260 lbs, the Kiwi was unlike any other winger who had played rugby before. Sadly, his career was cut short by a kidney disorder which required a transplant in 2004 and regular dialysis treatment.

Semifinal spectacular —

Lomu burst onto the scene at the 1995 World Cup, scoring four tries against England in the semifinals. Here, a desperate Rob Andrew fails in a last-ditch attempt to tackle the big man.

Trampling over English pride —

This picture of fullback Mike Catt being trampled over by Lomu summed up the helplessness of England's players in the face of the warrior All Black. New Zealand won the game 45-29 but lost to South Africa in the final.

Sevens success —

Lomu in action during the 1998 Commonwealth Games against Fiji, where not even the great Waisale Serevi (left) can stop him. New Zealand would go on to take the gold medal. Lomu was a passionate advocate of sevens: "The greatest thing I love about it is the camaraderie that the players have among all the nations ... that come together to make this beautiful game."

Rugby's first global star —

Lomu's fame spread far and wide, with his popularity transcending the sport.

Waxing physical —

In 1997, Lomu was honored by Madame Tussauds in London, which created a life-size waxwork doll.

Readying for battle —

Lomu doing the haka with his New Zealand teammates at Twickenham in 2002. "When I chucked on my All Black shirt, for me, it was like armor, getting ready to go into battle," Lomu told CNN.

Rugby ambassador —

Lomu's last international match was in late 2002, but after his kidney transplant he played club rugby sporadically until 2010. Here Lomu presents Annie Brown of New Zealand with the Women's Rugby Sevens trophy during the 2004 Hong Kong Sevens.

Battles off the pitch —

In an updated version of his autobiography published in 2013, Lomu revealed he was close to death after his kidney began to fail in 2011.

Fighting spirit —

Despite his ongoing medical travails, Lomu retained an admirably positive outlook on life. It's all thanks to rugby, he says. "The reason why I think I can cope with my medical condition (is because of) the things I've learned through rugby and the desires and beliefs that I was given through playing the game."

Lomu's widow Nadene releases a dove at New Zealand's home of rugby, Eden Park, during a memorial service in Auckland on November 30, 2015.

Lomu also left behind two sons, Brayley and Dhyreille.

Jonah Lomu: Giant of rugby

Prev Next