Legend Lomu feels like a Puma
June 22nd 2008 00:55
Jonah Lomu is an inspiration to all that play Rugby, let alone Argentina
Legendary ex All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu was present in Argentina, hosting a coaching clinic for kids along with Puma internationals Felipi Contepomi and Juan Fernandez Lobbe.
Having since retired from Rugby in 2007 due to ongoing health problems, Lomu says it only takes one part of your body to feel energised and optimistic about the future.
"All health problems have the potential to hit someone very hard, but anything can still be achieved with a beating heart" Lomu said.
Lomu is, without a doubt, one of the maximum figures Rugby Union has ever produced. He was only 19 years old when he debuted for New Zealand. He rapidly gained all the attention that comes with a 100 kilo, 1.95 metres tall body that terrorised all opponents in an illustrious career.
"He was a back in a body of a forward". Many around the world couldn't think of anything else to describe what was arguably the most damaging player world Rugby has seen.
Now in Argentina - where he hosted a coaching clinic for kids thanks to Adidas, Lomu was alongside two Pumas players who helped guide Argentina to third position in last years Rugby Union World Cup.
The kids simply loved the aura surrounding Jonah Lomu. In a football made nation, his presence still goes noticed. During his coaching clinic in San Juan and Pilgrims, the All Blacks winger revealed secrets of the maul, the ruck and that fend of his that allowed Lomu to send hundreds of rivals packing in his hay day.
Of couse, the day would not be complete without a rendition of the 'Haka'. The traditional Maori dance New Zealand use before every Rugby match.
"I have never had him as a companion, but with luck i have played against him" Contepomi commented.
Another Puma also confessed the legend that is Jonah Lomu.
"He is a reference to the history of world Rugby. He was the most damaging player on the field" Lobbe said.
Like the true icon he is, Lomu took in all complements and left a clear message to those that aspire to be Rugby superstars.
"Rugby isin't just a game, but a way of life and tradition".
Those words could help all understand the difficulty behind Lomu's retirement from the game he owned. On the field he was gigantic, untouchable perhaps. Only those that congratulated him on scoring a try could have the honour of taping Lomu on the shoulder.
In 2002, Lomu was touched with serious problems in what would later become the most famous kidney in world Rugby. It was a syndrome that would change his sporting career forever.
Lomu recieved a kidney transplant in 2004 and tried to realise his dreams of becoming the aura he once was. Although the comeback fell short, his legend in Rugby was already made to last all eternity.
Lomu (33 yrs) tried his comeback to Rugby in Wales. Despite getting back on the field, he was constantly persisted by injury. Last year Lomu made the decisive play on a glittering career.
"That's it for me" the All Blacks winger said.
A career was finally put to rest. A career that yielded 160 tries, 15 of those in Rugby World Cups. A record that is proving difficult to break. Probably the biggest disappointment of Lomu's career was the fact he never got his hands on the Webb Ellis trophy that has eluded the shaky isles since 1987.
Lomu passed through Buenos Aires an authoritive figure, a true legend who in his departure took his hat off to the Pumas for their outstanding feature in last years World Cup.
"They demonstrated what Argentine Rugby is all about and they left their flag flying very high indeed".
The words of true legend Lomu if there ever was one.
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