The rugby world is in mourning following the shock death of rugby legend, Jonah Lomu. Players and fans took to social media to give their condolences and share their immediate thoughts on the tragic, untimely passing of a genuine great, the man who changed the game.
Here is a look at some of the things that have been posted and shared so far.
Former Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen, who played against Lomu in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final and is now suffering motor neuron disease, tweeted an emotional farewell earlier today.
Difficult to write with eyes full of tears on my eye tracker. Thank you for EVERYTHING Jonah. RIP my dear friend!
— Joostvdwesthuizen (@9Joost) November 18, 2015
Wales captain Sam Warburton said that Lomu inspired him to play the game, while French skipper Thierry Dusautoir said that Lomu inspired a generation.
Jonah Lomu was the first reason I wanted to play rugby. Inspiration and true legend. Very sad news. Thoughts with his family.
— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) November 18, 2015
Rip Jonah…You inspired a generation of rugby players around the world. Thank you for so much ! @JONAHTALILOMU #greatman #legend
— Thierry Dusautoir (@TitiDusautoir) November 18, 2015
All Blacks legend himself, Dan Carter, was still finding it hard to comprehend, while flyer Cory Jane said that he was 11 years old when he first saw Lomu, his hero, in action.
Former Wallaby James O’Connor and current England fullback Mike Brown shared similar sentiments. While Kurtley Beale referred to him as the game changer.
I still can’t believe the sad news. Love & thoughts go out to Jonahs family #RIPJonah
— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) November 18, 2015
1994 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 11
— Cory Jane (@CoryJane1080) November 18, 2015
Devastated the greatest ever has passed away! The worlds in mourning for such an amazing talent yet genuine & humble human. R.I.P Jonah Lomu
— James O’Connor (@JamesOConnor832) November 18, 2015
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, 2015
The King! The game changer! A true gentleman of the game. RIPJonah #Superstar
— Kurtley Beale (@kurtley_beale) November 18, 2015
Jonny Wilkinson was as sincere and classy as we’ve come to expect from him, as was Sean Fitzpatrick, who captained Lomu during that lifechanging period for the flyer.
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
Our thoughts are with the @JONAHTALILOMU family tonight. A very special person. @AllBlacks
— Sean Fitzpatrick (@frontrow92) November 18, 2015
Former England skipper Will Carling, who faced Lomu in that famous World Cup Semi Final demolition job in 1995, shared a recent picture taken with his friend. As did Jeremy Guscott, who played against Lomu at the 1999 Rugby world Cup.
Just before RWC Final with the great man. Rest easy Legend. Gentle off the field, awesome & unstoppable on it pic.twitter.com/l9VX57rvuV
— Will Carling (@willcarling) November 18, 2015
Everybody loved Jonah,he was the most exciting rugby player ever, thank you for all the wonderful memories. pic.twitter.com/YinBPHmVpU
— Jeremy Guscott (@JeremyGuscott) November 18, 2015
After his time in the UK recently, Lomu and family went through Dubai, and as shown in these pics he tweeted, had a great time shopping and being hosted by friends.
Another beautiful day in Paradise called Dubai #MyDubai @MadinatJumeirah pic.twitter.com/SQC8Xl5nUX
— JONAH LOMU (@JONAHTALILOMU) November 15, 2015
Night out in Dubai with my great friend and brother thank you for looking after me ad my family.???? pic.twitter.com/YTKU29YylX
— JONAH LOMU (@JONAHTALILOMU) November 15, 2015
A few days later, on Friday, Lomu tweeted about the terror attacks in France.
My heart goes out to the people of Paris France who have lost loved ones Keep safe people . God bless you all Sois fort The lomu family
— JONAH LOMU (@JONAHTALILOMU) November 13, 2015
Then on Tuesday, he arrived home in New Zealand, with a serious amount of shopping, all ready to get settled back into home life with his family. He looked healthy and as strong as ever.
This was possibly the last ever photo taken of him.
@AllBlacks #rugby legend Jonah Lomu at Auckland Airport with 8 large suite cases. Man loves to shop! pic.twitter.com/qweiMRuF2y
— Craig Norenbergs (@CraigNorenbergs) November 17, 2015
*We will update this post over the next day or so, so feel free to keep checking back
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