Tributes flow in for All Blacks great Lomu
Social media has been flooded with tributes since the news broke that All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu has died.
The rugby world woke up this morning to the sad news.
The former All Black wing died at his home in Auckland. He was 40-years-old.
Regarded as one of the best wingers in modern rugby Lomu's pace and size terrorised his opponents on the field.
He scored 43 tries in 73 matches for New Zealand.
He was forced to retire from the game due a kidney disease undergoing a transplant in 2004.
Rikki Swannel a sports journalist in New Zealand has told Sky News it was in the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa that Lomu set the game alight becoming the sport's first real superstar.
''He was the guy and he is still the guy who wherever he went was still mobbed by people,'' he said.
See some of the sport’s biggest names who have taken to Twitter to express their sadness and disbelief.
See the reaction below.
I can't believe the legend Jonah has passed away! So so sad 😥 An inspiration & hero to everyone ever involved in rugby #RIPJONAH #JonahLomu
— Mike Brown (@mikebrown_15) November 18, 2015Total shock and sadness 😓😓
#Lomu #Rip
— Aaron Smith (@A_Smith09) November 18, 2015Was 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, 20151994 I was 11years old & saw my hero play for the All Blacks..A legend of the game & someone I wanted to be.
#Jonah_Lomu
#Can_Be_Only_One
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— Cory Jane (@CoryJane1080) November 18, 2015Sad sad news😳😢 Thank u for everything u did for rugby especially island kids growing up wanting to be an @AllBlacks @JONAHTALILOMU #RIPLomu
— Neemia Tialata (@NeemiaTialata) November 18, 2015Say it isn't so!!
@JONAHTALILOMU was & always will be the greatest winger of all time!!
Rest well mate!!
— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) November 18, 2015The King! The game changer! A true gentleman of the game. RIPJonah #Superstar
— Kurtley Beale (@kurtley_beale) November 18, 2015Our thoughts are with the @JONAHTALILOMU family tonight. A very special person. @AllBlacks
— Sean Fitzpatrick (@frontrow92) November 18, 2015RIP Jonah Lomu. One of my idols growing up. Sending prayers to your friends and family. Rest in peace uce ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5Hck4m9pYR
— Beau Ryan (@therealbeauryan) November 18, 2015Wow can't believe it @JONAHTALILOMU every Nz kids idol rest easy my brother.
— Adam Blair (@86Blairy) November 18, 2015Rest In Peace Jonah Lomu..my first ever rugby idol, you did so much to elevate the game #Legend
#RIPJONAHLOMU pic.twitter.com/VTtQyYlqFw
— Tattooed Mulligan (@mullied) November 18, 2015Springbok and Sharks wing JP Pietersen has described Lomu on Twitter as the greatest player of the game.
See the tweet below.
#RIPJonahLomu
The greatest player to play the game!!!
Prayers & condolences to the Lomu family. #MyHero #Legend pic.twitter.com/IRGfLaiicj
— JP Pietersen (@jppietersen14) November 18, 2015