The rugby world is in mourning following the tragic death of All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu, who passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning, aged 40.
The New Zealand team doctor said it was an unexpected death, according to a report from domestic TV.
Lomu battled kidney disorders since the end of 1995 – a year in which he set the rugby world alight with an inspired display in the World Cup. Shortly after the tourament he was diagnosed with nephritic syndrome and had a kidney transplant in 2004.
RIP Jonah Lomu, another rugby legend gone too soon,aged just 40.Our thoughts are with his family & friends pic.twitter.com/fBMbSrhbLN
— Ospreys (@ospreys) November 18, 2015
Our thoughts go out to Jonah Lomu’s family, @AllBlacks, and the Rugby community. A legend of the game. #RipJonah pic.twitter.com/kiflMkpEjh
— Wallabies (@Wallabies) November 18, 2015
RIP Jonah Lomu. An all time rugby great. https://t.co/dPj7Tzre9X
— fanatix (@therealfanatix) November 18, 2015
“Couldn’t afford weights so I welded an engine with a steel bar. That was my squat rack. And cement blocks for a bench press”-RIP Jonah Lomu
— Dan Ginnane (@DanGinnane) November 18, 2015
Jonah Lomu dies let’s remember the brilliance https://t.co/5nYoP8t5eF
— Chris Choi (@Chrisitv) November 18, 2015
I am so, so devastated to hear of the passing away of @JONAHTALILOMU The greatest superstar and just a fabulous human being. Deeply saddened
— Jonny Wilkinson (@JonnyWilkinson) November 18, 2015
My thoughts and love are with the family of Jonah Lomu . Spent some time with him during the RWC. True gent and great man. #RIPJonah
— Scott Quinnell (@ScottQuinnell) November 18, 2015
Was in mexico yesterday and people were speaking about @JONAHTALILOMU .. You made rugby what it Is today Jonah… Love to you n the family
— Israel Akuhata Dagg (@izzy_dagg) November 18, 2015
RIP #JonahLomu. You made a mark like no other on world rugby. pic.twitter.com/1Do0RirQgz
— Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) November 18, 2015
Say it isn’t so!! @JONAHTALILOMU was & always will be the greatest winger of all time!! Rest well mate!!
— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) November 18, 2015
Our thoughts are with the @JONAHTALILOMU family tonight. A very special person. @AllBlacks
— Sean Fitzpatrick (@frontrow92) November 18, 2015
All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu has passed away in Auckland today at the age of 40 https://t.co/oof6SgQB9m #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/U53bvnxfaA
— nzherald (@nzherald) November 18, 2015
He was rugby’s first superstar. Dreadful news that Jonah Lomu has died age 40.
— Sonja McLaughlan (@Sonjamclaughlan) November 18, 2015
#JonahLomu was one of the great sporting stars, like Pelé and @usainbolt who united the world. #RIPJonahLomu pic.twitter.com/fKm2YA6tvN
— Matthew Ward (@HistoryNeedsYou) November 18, 2015