Editorial: Colossus who made huge impact

Rugby great Jonah Lomu has passed away.

If ever a New Zealand sports star was owned by their adoring public it was Jonah Lomu, the first global star of the professional rugby era who has died.

We were no different in Hawke's Bay. Although he wasn't physically here that often, he was fairly much everywhere. He was one of us.

As a 19-year-old straight out of school, Lomu was transformed from a flanker to a wing under perhaps the closest scrutiny ever given to a young player.

Lomu's second and fourth senior representative matches involved the Bay - a match against the Magpies in Pukekohe on May 24, 1994, and the final All Black trial at McLean Park, Napier, three weeks later on the night of June 14.

Another notable appearance by Lomu at McLean Park was against Western Samoa on June 7, 1996. It was the first time the All Blacks had played a home test match under floodlights or outside Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin. That night he stylishly helped launch the stellar career of fullback Christian Cullen.

As it would happen, their All Black careers would end just a match apart in 2002. Not that many years ago, Jonah Lomu was in town, and I heard a kid yelling "Ooh, Jonah Lomu, Jonah Lomu" and cherishing the moment he had with an idol who'd finished playing rugby long before the kid was born.

Watching a Super Rugby or All Blacks match on TV earlier this year, someone nearby turned, denying their own advanced years, and asked as Cullen became the comments man: "Who's that grey-haired old bugger?"

No offence intended in respect of Cullen, but Jonah Lomu was in terms of all rugby stars, whether one thought he was greater than George Nepia, Colin Meads or, indeed, Cullen, Jonah was "the Man".