All Blacks great Jonah Lomu has died at the age of 40.
Lomu died suddenly and unexpectedly this morning, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew confirmed.
"We're all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah Lomu," said Tew.
"We're lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah's family.
"Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world."
Details of his death remain unclear.
Former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew said Lomu and his family had arrived home in Auckland last night from Dubai after a lengthy period in the United Kingdom where he held promotional duties around the Rugby World Cup.
Mayhew said Lomu had died around mid-morning and that his family and close friends have requested privacy.
People were seen arriving at Lomu's house on Wednesday to pay their respects.
This afternoon, Lomu's wife Nadene issued a statement.
"It is with great sadness that I must announce my dear husband Jonah Lomu died last night
"As you can imagine, this is a devastating loss for our family and may I ask that our privacy, especially the privacy of our two very young boys, be respected as we take them through this traumatic time," said Nadene Lomu.
Prime Minister John Key tweeted he was saddened to hear of Jonah Lomu's unexpected death.
"The thoughts of the entire country are with his family," said Key.
Key said from Manila, in the Philippines, that Lomu would be remembered not only for his performance on the field, but also for his work with charities.
"He'll be remembered for his sportsmanship, he stayed on the field and shook hands with the players when we lost the 1995 Rugby World Cup, but I'll also remember him for the work he was doing for his charities," said Key.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae posted on his Facebook and Twitter accounts that him and his wife were "shocked to hear of the passing of Jonah Lomu".
"Our thoughts are with his family," he added.
This afternoon's session of Parliament commenced with Jonathan Coleman making a Government motion to remember Lomu.
Coleman said Lomu was the "greatest number 11 to ever wear the jersey".
"He was a guy who was loved across New Zealand, a great great All Black, taken way too young.
"He was a great model for young Polynesian men, a great model for New Zealanders; not only as a rugby player but for the way he faced up and battled his chronic kidney disease," said Coleman.
Labour MP Trevor Mallard highlighted Lomu's prominence and said he remembered him "bursting onto the scenes" at the 1994 Hong Kong sevens tournament.
"He went from being one of our stars to a world star," said Mallard.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said as was Muhammad Ali to boxing, so was Jonah Lomu to rugby.
"He was simply the greatest player we have ever seen," said Peters.
All Blacks players Daniel Carter and Sonny Bill Williams tweeted their condolences.
Carter said he "still can't believe the sad news" about Lomu's death.
"Love & thoughts go out to Jonahs (sic) family #RIPJonah," he said.
Williams said he is "shocked" to hear the news about Lomu's death.
"Shocked, thoughts are with the Lomu family right now," he tweeted accompanied with two heart icons.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver extended condolences to New Zealand rugby community and Lomu's family and friends.
"Jonah's legacy will live forever in our game, and indeed all over the world.
"I speak on behalf of the entire Australian Rugby community in expressing our deep sadness today after the passing of one of our game's greatest ever players
"There will never be another Jonah Lomu. He was rugby's first genuine superstar and as well as being an extraordinary rugby player he was also an exceptional man who gave everything to the game and his community in Auckland.
"Jonah's legacy will live forever in our game, and indeed all over the world," said Pulver in a statement.
World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper was quick to tweet his feelings about Lomu.
"So shocked and sad Jonah Lomu has died. Did a MasterCard event together just a few weeks ago and he was in great spirits. An inspiration," he said.
The Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby described their player of four years as "one of the region's greatest and most influential rugby personalities".
Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee said there was no other individual who had made an impact on world rugby quite like Jonah Lomu had.
"He was an extraordinary individual who will be sorely missed by millions of fans around the globe. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jonah's family, especially Nadene and their children," he said.
Wellington Rugby chief executive Steve Rogers added that Lomu was "an incredibly special part of rugby in the province", playing for the Wellington Lions and the Hurricanes from 2000 to 2003.
"Jonah was an incredibly special part of rugby in our province and will forever be remembered for his outstanding pace and skill, his strength as a player and person and his kind and genuine nature both on and off the field.
"The combination he formed with Tana (Umaga) and Cully (Christan Cullen) back in the early 2000s is a partnership that will forever be written in Wellington Rugby folklore. It's something rugby fans not only in Wellington, but around the world, will remember forever," said Rogers.
Lomu quit international rugby in 2002 aged 27 because of Nephrotic syndrome, a rare and serious kidney disease. He has been on dialysis treatment for more than a decade and has suffered occasional setbacks to his health.
The youngest ever All Black, Lomu went on to score 37 tries in 63 test matches and is regarded as one of New Zealand's greatest wingers.
His spectacular performances at the 1995 Rugby World Cup made him one of the sport's most recognisable global figures.
His tackle-shredding displays included a stunning four-try demolition of England in the quarter-finals, where his trampling of fullback Mike Catt remains an indelible image.
His performances in South Africa are said to have triggered the birth of professional rugby in 1996, with media moguls admiring the speed and power which contrasted with his gentle off-field demeanour.
The joint record-holder for the most World Cup tries with South African Bryan Habana with 15, Lomu was recently named the tournament's greatest ever player in an English-run poll.
Born in Auckland to Tongan parents, he outlined a difficult upbringing in his autobiography. He detailed a strained relationship with his father Semisi and admitted to a falling in with the wrong crowd of friends on the streets of south Auckland.
After starring as a schoolboy number eight, Lomu rose to prominence with a powerhouse display at the 1994 Hong Kong sevens tournament.
He made his All Blacks in 1994, on the left wing against France in Christchurch, aged 19 years 45 days.
After a shaky debut, he soon established himself as a potent match-winner, with his combination of size and acceleration too much for most opponents to handle.
Forty-three tries in 73 All Blacks games earned him a following overseas which sometimes superseded the recognition of his deeds in New Zealand.
The former Blues, Hurricanes and Chiefs winger underwent a kidney transplant in 2004. He attempted a short-lived comeback a year later.
Lomu was inducted into the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame in 2011.
He is survived by his wife Nadene and two sons Brayley, 6, and Dhyreille, 5.
Source: NZ Newswire and Stuff.co.nz
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