So, so devastated: Rugby world mourns legend Lomu

In this file photo taken on November 11, 2000, New Zealand All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu runs with the ball during the Dave Gallaher Trophy match between France and New-Zealand at the Stade De France in Paris. Lomu, regarded as the game's first global superstar before kidney disease ended his career, died unexpectedly on November 18, 2015 aged 40. PHOTO | FILES | OLIVIER MORIN |

What you need to know:

  • Williams said the Tongan-born Lomu was fiercely proud of his Pacific islander roots, which showed him a youngster of Samoan descent could also excel on rugby's world stage.
  • Wallaby great Tim Horan said Lomu's death left "a big hole in rugby" and Umaga said the charismatic giant was a unique rugby phenomenon.

WELLINGTON

Team-mates and rivals alike paid tribute to Jonah Lomu on Wednesday as the rugby world united in grief at the legendary All Black winger's shock death aged just 40.

Players who lined up against Lomu recalled how his fearsome style transformed rugby union, while younger generations revealed how his exploits inspired them to take up the game.

"I am so, so devastated to hear of the passing away of @JONAHTALILOMU," England's 2003 World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson tweeted.

Jonathan Davies of Wales, a one-time opponent who became firm friends with Lomu and met him for dinner just last month, said he was struggling to believe the news.

Rugby legend Jonah Lomu. He died unexpectedly on Wednesday November 18, 2015 aged 40. Lomu had for decades battled the kidney disease that ended his playing career. AFP PHOTO | FILES | GERRY PENNY

"RIP Jonah you were a true legend and a gentleman. You changed the game of rugby and will be sorely missed," he said.

France's Thierry Dusautoir commented: "You inspired a generation of rugby players around the world", a common theme among the tributes.

Englishman Danny Cipriani said Lomu was one of the reasons he first picked up a rugby ball, while for current All Black Sonny Bill Williams the inspiration was deeply personal.

Williams said the Tongan-born Lomu was fiercely proud of his Pacific islander roots, which showed him a youngster of Samoan descent could also excel on rugby's world stage.

"The thing that stood out for me and a lot of the other young kids was how proud he was of his islander heritage," he told Fairfax New Zealand.

"That gave us all a sense of pride."

Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga said Lomu "single-handedly put rugby on the map" in the professional era, a sentiment echoed by former team-mate Jeff Wilson.

"Initially it was hard to understand exactly how big he'd got globally," Wilson told Prime News.

"He took this game to a new level and people around the world knew who Jonah Lomu was and what rugby players could do."

Star fly-half Dan Carter articulated the rugby world's shock that Lomu had finally succumbed to the kidney disease that curtailed his playing career.

New Zealand's fly half Dan Carter kicks the ball during the final match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham stadium, south west London, on October 31, 2015. PHOTO | PAUL ELLIS | AFP

"I still can't believe the sad news. Love and thoughts go out to Jonah's family," he tweeted.

'NO ONE LIKE LOMU'

Wallaby great Tim Horan said Lomu's death left "a big hole in rugby" and Umaga said the charismatic giant was a unique rugby phenomenon.

"There's never been another Jonah Lomu," he told reporters. "Everyone's tried to manufacture one by putting forwards into the backs, or someone on the wing who had the same size.

"But there's no one like him, and to be honest, there probably never will be."