One of the most iconic images from Jonah Lomu’s memorable career is the great man trampling over Mike Catt as the England full-back desperately tried to stop him from scoring a try in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Of course it didn’t work, Lomu steamrollered Catt to score one of four tries as the All Blacks beat the Red Rose 45-29 to book a place in the final against tournament hosts South Africa.
While many of us were just glad at the time we weren’t Mike Catt or that we didn’t ever have to face the paralysing fear of coming up against one of rugby’s greatest, Jacques Benade knows exactly how Catt feels.
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The South African, who took over as Dubai Exiles director of rugby in the summer, was a talented fly-half who played top flight rugby in his homeland and abroad.
He won caps for and captained the Emerging Springboks in the mid-90s and was unlucky not to win full Springbok honours competing against the likes of Joel Stransky, Jannie de Beer and Henry Honiball for the number 10 job.
He enjoyed a distinguished career for the Sharks in Super 12 (now Super Rugby) where he played against Lomu on several occasions.
“I understand exactly what went through Mike Catt’s head when Lomu ran at him and over him at the world Cup in South Africa,” said Benade.
“Playing for the Sharks in Super 12 in New Zealand one game, we all knew Jonah was playing against us. We also knew that he would take the ball off the scrum-half from a line-out and he would run straight at me.
“We worked during the week on how we would counter that and also what we needed to do to close the space down so that we could make the tackle before he started running with the ball.
“Everything went well until 10 minutes into the second half. There was a line-out and Jonah was coming off his wing to take the pass from the scrum-half.
“I grabbed one leg, Gary Teichmann, our Number 8 and also the Springbok captain, grabbed the other leg and Wayne FyVie, our other back row player, jumped on his back and we eventually got him down 10 metres later – although we lost the game and Lomu still scored two tries.”
Despite the nightmare of facing him on the pitch, Benade has nothing but fond memories of, and kind words for, one of the finest players ever to step onto a rugby field.
“I’m just fortunate to have played against and met Jonah,” said Benade.
“After that game Lomu was a true gentleman, signing photographs and talking to all his fans outside the changing room.
“He definitely was the first true professional on and off the pitch and every player respected him, not only as a player, but also as an
ambassador for rugby.
“With him there on the wing the game changed so much and the wingers started to play a massive role in how a team attack in a game. Big, strong, quick and physical wingers was the answer and phase play really started to happen.
“Away was the day that you only pass to your wing with a definite overlap. Teams started using them as key players in how they wanted to break down the opposition defence. What a true gentleman and the rugby world will miss him.”
