Biography
Jonah Tali Lomu was born on May 12, 1975, in Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand, to Tongan parents. He grew up in South Auckland, where his mother encouraged his involvement in sports as a way to keep him away from local gang violence. He attended Wesley College, where he excelled in athletics and rugby. His impressive performances at the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens and his debut for the All Blacks that same year marked the beginning of an extraordinary career.
Teams He Played For
- Counties Manukau (1994–1999)
- Blues (1996–1998)
- Chiefs (1999)
- Hurricanes (2000–2003)
- Wellington (2000–2003)
- Cardiff Blues (2005–2006)
- North Harbour (2006)
- Marseille Vitrolles (2009–2010)
Rugby World Cups
- 1995 Rugby World Cup (South Africa) – Runner-up
- 1999 Rugby World Cup (Wales, England, France) – Semi-finalist
Career Highlights
- Became the youngest-ever All Black at the age of 19 in 1994.
- Scored four legendary tries against England in the 1995 Rugby World Cup semi-final, making him an international sensation.
- Holds the joint record for the most tries scored in Rugby World Cup history (15 tries, tied with Bryan Habana).
- Won the 1998 Commonwealth Games gold medal with the New Zealand Sevens team.
- Inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame (2007) and the IRB Hall of Fame (2011).
- Was a key figure in the early days of professional rugby, attracting global audiences to the sport.
Personal Life
Lomu faced significant health struggles throughout his life, being diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a serious kidney disorder, in 1995. Despite undergoing a kidney transplant in 2004, his health continued to decline.
He was married three times and had two children with his third wife, Nadene. Lomu was known for his charitable work, particularly in the Pasifika community, and was involved with UNICEF and kidney disease awareness campaigns. His sudden passing on November 18, 2015, from a heart attack linked to his kidney condition, led to an outpouring of tributes from around the world. He remains one of rugby’s most iconic and influential figures.