Jonah Lomu didn’t just play rugby – he changed it. Standing 1.96 m and weighing up to 120 kg, he ran the 100 metres in 10.8 seconds, a speed that made him a one-man highlight reel. His career was cut short by nephrotic syndrome, a rare kidney disease, but his legacy endures through his sons and the trust set up to support them.
Height: 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) ·
Weight: Up to 120 kg (265 lb) ·
Fastest 100 m: 10.8 seconds ·
Test matches: 63 ·
Test tries: 37 ·
Age at death: 40
Quick snapshot
- Death caused by nephrotic syndrome (BBC News)
- Height of 1.96 m and weight up to 120 kg (BBC Sport)
- 63 test caps and 37 test tries (BBC Sport)
- Kidney donor was Grant Kereama (The Guardian)
- Exact 100m time is widely reported as 10.8s but not officially recorded by World Athletics (BBC Sport)
- Current activities of his children are partially private; some reports indicate Brayley plays rugby but details are sparse (Wales Online)
- 1995: Diagnosed with rare kidney condition (BBC News)
- 2004: Received kidney transplant (The Guardian)
- 2015: Died at age 40 (BBC News)
- Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust supporting his two sons (Wales Online)
- Brayley Lomu pursuing rugby in junior teams (Wales Online)
Ten key facts about the All Blacks legend, one pattern: a career defined by explosive speed, a body built for power, and a life cut short by a relentless disease.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jonah Tali Lomu |
| Born | 12 May 1975, Auckland, New Zealand (BBC Sport) |
| Died | 18 November 2015, Auckland, New Zealand (BBC News) |
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) (BBC Sport) |
| Weight | Up to 120 kg (265 lb) (BBC Sport) |
| Position | Wing |
| Test Caps | 63 (BBC Sport) |
| Test Tries | 37 (BBC Sport) |
| Cause of Death | Nephrotic syndrome (BBC News) |
| Major Honours | Two Rugby World Cup finals (1995, 1999) |
Why did Jonah Lomu stop playing rugby?
Lomu’s rugby career ended not because of age or injury, but because of a rare kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome. He was first diagnosed in 1995, but the condition forced him to retire in 2003 (BBC Sport). The disease made it impossible to maintain the physical demands of professional rugby, especially after his kidney function declined.
What caused Jonah Lomu’s death?
Lomu died on 18 November 2015 at age 40 from complications of nephrotic syndrome, the same disease that ended his playing career (BBC News). A family friend and former All Blacks team doctor, John Mayhew, was quoted as saying the immediate cause was cardiac arrest (The Denver Post). Lomu had been on dialysis after his transplanted kidney failed in 2011 (The Boston Globe).
Lomu’s kidney disease was diagnosed just a year after he became a global star at the 1995 World Cup. The same attributes that made him a household name – his size and speed – also put immense strain on his body, accelerating the disease’s progression.
How fast did Jonah Lomu run 100 meters?
Lomu was widely reported to have run the 100 metres in 10.8 seconds, a time that would be competitive for a professional sprinter. That speed, combined with his 120 kg frame, made him uniquely dangerous on the rugby field (BBC Sport). He is often cited as one of the fastest All Blacks ever, though the time was never officially recorded by World Athletics.
The implication: 10.8 seconds is roughly 1.5 seconds slower than Usain Bolt’s world record, but for a man of Lomu’s size it was extraordinary. His speed allowed him to score 37 test tries, many of which came from chasing down kicks or outrunning defenders.
Who gave Jonah Lomu a kidney?
In 2004, Lomu received a kidney from his friend and former rugby teammate Grant Kereama (The Guardian). The transplant gave him 11 more years of life, allowing him to see his sons grow up. However, the kidney eventually failed, and Lomu resumed dialysis in 2011 (The Boston Globe).
The trade-off: the transplant was a lifeline, but it also meant Lomu had to take immunosuppressants for the rest of his life, which increased his risk of infections and other complications.
Who led the haka at Jonah Lomu’s funeral?
Lomu’s funeral, held at Eden Park in Auckland on 30 November 2015, featured a haka led by his former All Blacks teammate Tana Umaga (BBC News). The haka was performed by a group of former All Blacks and family members, a powerful tribute to the man who had made the haka famous on the world stage. The public memorial was attended by thousands, and a private family burial followed later (Otago Daily Times).
…the cause of death was cardiac arrest.
John Mayhew, family friend and former All Blacks team doctor (via The Denver Post)
What are Jonah Lomu’s children doing today?
Lomu had two sons, Brayley and Dhyreille (often called Jonah Jr.). Brayley has pursued rugby, playing for junior teams in New Zealand (Wales Online). Jonah Jr. has shown interest in sports but much of his life remains private. The Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust, established by the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association, provides financial support for the boys’ education and upbringing (Wales Online).
Lomu’s sons are growing up in the shadow of a legend, but the trust ensures they have the resources to forge their own paths – whether in rugby or beyond. The trust was set up because, according to a source close to the family, there was “certainly nothing” left to sustain ongoing financial benefit for Lomu’s family after his death.
Timeline of Jonah Lomu’s life
Seven key moments, one trajectory: from a teenage prodigy to a global icon fighting a disease that would ultimately take his life.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12 May 1975 | Born in Auckland, New Zealand |
| 1994 | Made All Blacks debut against France, becoming youngest ever All Black at 19 (BBC Sport) |
| 1995 | Starred in Rugby World Cup, scoring four tries in semi-final against England; diagnosed with kidney condition (BBC Sport) |
| 2002 | Diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome |
| 2003 | Announced retirement from rugby due to kidney condition |
| 2004 | Received kidney transplant from friend Grant Kereama (The Guardian) |
| 18 November 2015 | Died at age 40 from complications of kidney disease (BBC News) |
The pattern: each milestone brought Lomu closer to the public eye and, simultaneously, closer to the disease that ended his career prematurely.
What we know – and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Death caused by nephrotic syndrome (BBC News)
- Height of 1.96 m and weight up to 120 kg (BBC Sport)
- 63 test caps and 37 test tries (BBC Sport)
- Kidney donor was Grant Kereama (The Guardian)
- Haka at funeral led by Tana Umaga (BBC News)
What’s unclear
- Exact 100m time is widely reported as 10.8s but not officially recorded by World Athletics (BBC Sport)
- Current activities of his children are partially private; some reports indicate Brayley plays rugby but details are sparse (Wales Online)
We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Jonah. He was a loving husband and father who will be deeply missed.
Nadene Lomu, wife (via The Denver Post)
Lomu’s legacy is not just about the tries he scored or the defenders he flattened. It’s about the way he inspired a generation of rugby players and fans around the world. For the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby, the challenge is clear: honour his memory by supporting the next generation of players, and ensure that the Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust remains a lasting safety net for his family. For his sons, the choice is theirs: carry the Lomu name into the rugby spotlight, or build a life away from the pitch. Either way, the trust gives them that freedom.
dw.com, theguardian.com, theguardian.com, bbc.com, allblacks.com
Frequently asked questions
What size was Jonah Lomu?
He was 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) tall and weighed up to 120 kg (265 lb) (BBC Sport).
Where is Jonah Lomu buried?
His private family burial took place after the public memorial, likely at a family plot in Auckland (BBC News).
What position did Jonah Lomu play?
He played as a wing for the All Blacks.
Who was Jonah Lomu’s wife?
He was married to Nadene Lomu, who survived him (The Denver Post).
How many tries did Jonah Lomu score in test matches?
He scored 37 test tries in 63 appearances (BBC Sport).
What was Jonah Lomu’s fastest 100m time?
He was reported to have run 10.8 seconds, though it was not officially recorded (BBC Sport).
How does Jonah Lomu’s speed compare to other rugby players?
His reported 10.8 seconds in the 100m made him one of the fastest players of his era relative to his size.
Who is the heaviest rugby player ever?
Several players have weighed more than 120 kg, including Uini Atonio (140 kg) and others. Lomu was among the heaviest wings of his era.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.