Beyond The Story

The Life Of An All Black Legend

It was 1994. I had just been discovered playing sevens in the 1994 Hong Kong sevens tournament. I was super pumped after just finding out I was set to debut as an All Black against France in Christchurch. I was so nervous. I was the youngest player ever to debut for the All Blacks. It was a disappointing game; losing by fourteen points in front of 30,000 fans. We only scored eight points. Sadly, I didn't score. However, I played well enough to ensure a place in squad for a few weeks.

Despite only have two All Black Caps, I was named for the 1995 Rugby World Cup squad. Our first challenge was against Ireland. It was a thrilling high scoring game and my chance finally came. I scored twice! I was so proud of myself. Our pool games weren't very tough, with my team coming out on top after every match. After three games, my team mate, Marc Ellis, had already scored seven tries in three games. He had scored six times against Japan in our 145 - 17 win.

It was quarter final time. Our opponents were getting tougher and tougher.  We beat Scotland. We now had to play England. This was set to be a tough game but I demolished their outside backs. I scored four amazing tries. Some people said that it was the best game I ever played. One of the tries I scored, many people remember now. It was a great try as I ran down the sideline from about halfway. As I got about ten meters away from the line, the English fullback tried to tackle me but I just ran right over the top of him and scored out wide. It was final times and we were in the final against South Africa. This was a very tough game!!! No tries at all were scored. We swapped turns in scoring penalties and drop goals. At full time we were even and we had to go into extra time. At the end of extra time we were down by one drop goal.

1995 had been a great year for me, until the doctors dropped a bomb on me. I had nephrotic syndrome. This is a serious kidney disorder and I could die if I didn’t get a new kidney. But I would have to give up rugby for a few years.

It was November 2002 and I could tell I wasn't quite right, I needed to get a new kidney. I played my last match as an All Black in Cardiff against Wales. We won 43 - 17. It was Tuesday the 28th of July 2004 and I was in Auckland ready to get the kidney of a radio presenter Grant Kereama. I had to get this kidney. I would die if I didn’t. Luckily, it was successful so I could start my comeback.

On the 8th of April 2005 I signed a two year contract to play for North Harbour in the ITM cup but a shoulder injury ruled me out of the season, so I helped coach a little. North Harbour agreed to let me play overseas on the ITM cup off season. So I signed to play for the Cardiff Blues. I scored my first try as a Blues player on the 27th of December 2005 and managed to get Man of the Match. On the 15th Of April I broke my ankle four minutes from fulltime. I was estimated to be out for 6 weeks. My Cardiff Blues contract ended. My aim was to return to New Zealand and  work my way up from provincial rugby and maybe even play in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. I played for North Harbour in Round 4 playing against Wellington.

In Early 2007 it became obvious I wasn't playing in the 2007 Rugby World Cup after not signing for a super rugby team and being dropped into the North Harbour 2nd XV. So I decided to retire from rugby.

Jonah Lomu was a great man and a fabulous rugby player. He is in the International Rugby Hall of Fame and The IRB Hall Of Fame. He even has a video game called Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge. He has competed in many charity events such as Fight for Life, Help For Hero’s Charity Match and many more.