When news broke of the unexpected passing of Jonah Lomu yesterday, the world was united in mourning for the giant who transcended the game of rugby union. As tributes poured through social media, and continue to do so over 24 hours later, it became immediately apparent that Lomu's impact was felt well beyond his native Tonga, the country he represented in New Zealand, or even the rugby union world that he dominated.
People all over the world know the name Jonah Lomu. From the time he monstered the opposition during the Rugby World Cup in 1995, Lomu was a superstar across the globe. Though his career was cut short due to ongoing health problems, his legacy lives on through the thousands of people he inspired across the Pacific Islands.
Lomu was a legend on the pitch, but the outpouring of sadness and condolences over the last 24 hours also speaks to the man he was away from it.
