Wednesday 18 November 2015 20:41, UK
Jonah Lomu was a pioneer who took rugby "to a whole new level," according to former England head coach Sir Clive Woodward.
Lomu died in his home city of Auckland on Wednesday at the age of 40, having suffered with health problems since his retirement from the sport in 2002.
He won 63 caps for the All Blacks and represented his country at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups. Lomu made a significant impact at the 1995 event in South Africa, most notably scoring four tries in a 45-29 victory over England.
Woodward says Lomu's impact on the sport cannot be underestimated and feels he led the professional game into a new era.
"He is one of the all-time greats and he didn't just put rugby back on the map, he took it to a whole new level," Woodward told Sky Sports News HQ.
"The 1995 World Cup, he dominated that World Cup with his sheer athleticism, his sheer presence and he - with a couple of other players - took the game into the professional era because people realised these guys were amazing players, amazing athletes and the game could go professional."
Former England international Will Greenwood told Sky Sports News HQ: "I invited some friends round to mine to watch the World Cup semi-final [England v New Zealand, 1995] and we thought England may have half a chance, having beaten Australia in the quarter-finals.
"But then we witnessed one man turn a game into a global sport in 80 minutes. It was the most extraordinary physical performance you are likely to see. It changed rugby and everybody sat up in sport and entertainment and said 'who's this guy?', 'what's this sport?' and it changed rugby that day."
Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga said: "He single-handedly put rugby back on the map. You go anywhere, though the All Blacks are huge, the one player they talked about, certainly in my time, was Jonah Lomu. I am sure everyone has got a story to tell and he will be respected in the right way."
Sean Fitzpatrick, the former All Blacks skipper, said: "We had a training camp before the World Cup in 1995 and got extremely fit. But unfortunately Jonah could not meet the fitness standards, little did we know he had a kidney disorder.
"But he went to the tournament and set the world on fire. The game against England is the one everybody remembers and he was a very comforting person to have in your team."
Former New Zealand head coach Laurie Mains said: "By the time we got to the 1995 World Cup he was something this world had never seen before."
Former England international Rob Andrew told Sky Sports News HQ: "One of the iconic figures of world rugby in that iconic World Cup (1995) and it is just tragic that his life is cut so short."
Current All Blacks favourite Dan Carter tweeted: "I still can't believe the sad news. Love & thoughts go out to Jonah's family #RIPJonah."
Former Australia international Tim Horan said: "It's a very big hole that he's left in the game. When I went to the United States just after the 1995 Rugby World Cup, I spoke to someone there and they said, 'All we know about rugby is Jonah Lomu', and that's the imprint he had on the game."
Former England fly-half and Sky Sports rugby pundit Stuart Barnes told Sky Sports News HQ: "I can remember the day after that semi-final I thought that Jonah Lomu was to rugby union what Michael Jordan was to basketball. He took basketball from America and gave it to the world. Jonah Lomu did that for rugby, he was an astonishing player.
"Off the field he was a very gentle character. He was a polite man and always ready with a smile. On the field he was one of the greatest wingers of all time. Wingers are not the most influential players normally but he certainly was.
"There may be other players who had more influence over a game in the 80 minutes - like Richie McMaw or Dan Carter but for sheer explosiveness, sheer excitement and for getting fans off their seats, Jonah Lomu is and always will be number one."
Former England star Jonny Wilkinson tweeted: "I am so, so devastated to hear of the passing away of Jonah Lomu. The greatest superstar and just a fabulous human being. Deeply saddened"
Former Australia international Michael Lynagh told Sky Sports News HQ: "On the field there's huge legacy there, but off the field he always had time for people, especially young kids and helped them on their way. He influenced so many people into taking up the sport."
Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies said: "So sad, life is so cruel. RIP Jonah you were a true legend and a gentleman. You changed the game of rugby and will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with your family."
Former England football captain David Beckham wrote on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news about this amazing giant of a man. A sporting hero and one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet. A credit to his country, his family and to the sport that he passionately played. Jonah you will be missed."
South Africa wing Bryan Habana also took to Instagram, writing: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. It was a privilege to have met you, to have been inspired by you and to watch you make the biggest impact we have ever seen on the game we love so dearly."
Australia full-back Israel Folau, who, like Lomu, is of Tongan descent, said: "Rest in peace to my brother Jonah Lomu. Going to miss you bro."
France flanker Thierry Dusautoir - "RIP Jonah. You inspired a generation of rugby players around the world."
Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver - "There will never be another Jonah Lomu. He was rugby's first genuine superstar and as well as being an extraordinary player he was also an exceptional man who gave everything to the game and his community in Auckland."
Former England captain Mike Tindall - "He was to me the guy who changed the sport forever, an unbelievable machine on the pitch and a superb guy off it, the guy who could dominate whatever era of rugby history he was put in."
Current All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams - "For me, Jonah embodied that islander spirit. You would have to say he was the first proper worldwide rugby superstar."
Former All Blacks coach Graham Henry - "It's just so sad, I saw him at the World Cup and he looked so well. It's just a hell of a shock."
Former New Zealand scrum-half Piri Weepu - "Sad sad news.. The man who gave Kiwis the desire to play for the All Blacks. Thank you @JONAHTALILOMU will miss you big guy! #RILTokoUso."
Ex-England captain Will Carling - "So sad to hear that Jonah Lomu has died. Rugby's first global star, what a player and more important what a good guy #verysad."
Current England forward James Haskell - "Really shocked to wake up and hear that the biggest and best rugby legend of all time @JONAHTALILOMU has passed away. RIP the big guy."
Ex-Scotland international Kenny Logan - "Jonah Lomu was a legend, blazed a trail, took the sport into a different era with his global recognition. Talent and humility in abundance."
Australia fly-half Quade Cooper - "Rest easy Jonah.. You've been an inspiration to so many during & after your playing career.. The reason I started playing rugby! #RIPJonah."
Former England hooker Brian Moore - "RIP Jonah Lomu. Terribly sad to die so young. The first & one of only a handful of rugby players to become a true global sports star."
Ex-England captain Lewis Moody - "Can't believe the news that #JonahLomu has died. Such a sad day. He single
handedly changed the game of rugby. Rugby's 1st global super star."
Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson - "THE greatest rugby player who globalised our game and inspired millions. I'll proudly say to my kids I knew and admired him. #JonahLomu."
Current England international Brad Barritt - "RIP Jonah Lomu an absolute legend and an inspiration for millions of rugby players across the world."
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend - "Tragic news. We have lost one of the best ever to play our game. A great player and a great man. Gone too soon. RIP Jonah Lomu."
Former Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll - "Really awful news to wake up to this morning. Jonah was rugby's first real superstar. Thoughts are with his family."
South Africa wing JP Pietersen - "#RIPJonahLomu The greatest player to play the game!!! Prayers & condolences to the Lomu family. #MyHero #Legend."
France full-back Scott Spedding - "Such sad news to wake up to. A childhood hero. There will never be another Jonah #RIP."
Ex-All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko - "Sucks waking up to sad news, a hero who made myself & P.I boys dream/believe that we can compete in the world stage."
Wales captain Sam Warburton - "Jonah Lomu was the first reason I wanted to play rugby. Inspiration and true legend. Very sad news. Thoughts with his family."
Former Wales prop Adam Jones - "So sad to see Jonah Lomu has passed away. He changed the sport of Rugby Union. Will always remember the 95 World Cup he was something else."
England scrum-half Danny Care - "RIP Jonah Lomu. An honour to even hang on to his boot laces trying to tackle him. I don't think anyone has or will ever change the game of Rugby like he did. True legend of the game."
Sale's England international Danny Cipriani - "RIP Jonah Lomu - devastating news! True legend of the game."
Ex-Wallabies wing David Campese - "RIP the great Jonah Lomu. First a mate and a great human family man and
not a bad rugby player. Still in shock."
Former England international Phil Greening - "RIP Jonah Lomu such sad news. Huge heart & warmest smile ever. Saw him during RWC & had the warmest welcome. Proud to have called him a friend."
Welsh referee Nigel Owens - "Very sad news this. #RIPJonahLomu. A great player but more importantly a great man. Deepest Sympathy to his family."
New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor - "So sad to hear about Jonah. A genuine legend both on and off the park. Thoughts are with your family and friends. #RIPJonahLomu."
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja - "Extremely sad news about Jonah Lomu. He was the only reason I watched (rugby) union as a kid. What a legacy he has left."
Australian footballer Tim Cahill - "Going to miss you bro. I was blessed to learn from the best and take important clips about life in general but most important the meaning of family. You gave so much to your game and left an imprint all over the world about never giving up."
New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko - "An inspiration, role model and (thank you) for all you have done for New Zealand."
New Zealand tennis player Marina Erakovic - "I remember watching Jonah Lomu on TV as a youngster and telling all my overseas friends, 'this guy is from NZ'."
