Jonah Lomu has taken part in the haka, in Covent Garden, London, ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
“It’s always an honour to perform the haka, whether you’re representing your nation in front of 80,000 people or performing for a group of unsuspecting rugby fans,” Lomu said.
It's even been a really special moment for me having my wife, Nadene and my two boys Brayley and Dhyreille present to watch me perform the haka in London's iconic Covent Garden.
"I didn't think I would perform the haka again," Lomu said. "My two sons have never seen me do the haka before and this has brought it to life for me. It is something special for them as previously they have only seen videos."
Lomu, as a Mastercard ambassador for the tournament, had a stormy relationship with his own father, but after words from Nadene and her example of forgiveness and love, she clearly mended torn hearts after 17 years apart. Lomu's father died two years ago but the rift was non existent and Lomu's son's Brayley and Dhyreille as well as Lomu and his wife, all had memories to cherish. Lomu has said he's determined to make the most of his own sons.
My two sons have never seen me do the haka before and this has brought it to life for me. It is something special for them. "I do want to see them grow into grown men and I pray my health condition will allow me to do so, through the will of the man above," said Lomu.
"Whether they play rugby or not doesn't matter. I just want them to be healthy and to grow. One thing as a dad you don't want is for them to come to any harm or anything bad to happen to them.
"The illnesses and pain I'm going through, I don't want them to experience that, no dad wants that.
"This [the World Cup trip] is a great experience for them. This is where rugby started, so what a way to take two kids on a journey.
"I'm their dad and I'm trying to set an example and my beautiful wife ensures I do everything I need to do."
Indeed Lomu, who sports tattoos of his two boys names on his right arm and that of his wife on his left one, said Nadene - who Lomu revealed is responsible for Dhyreille's name, coming up with it at 1:00am while pregnant and eating pizza - is an immeasurable support to him.
"Rugby has prepared me for the challenges of life, but the most important thing is that your pillars are rock solid and the family keeps you in great stead," said Lomu.
"I am thankful that I have a beautiful wife and the kids are here. Nadene makes sure that my family stays together.
"She is my manager, my wife, my best friend and my boss!"
Lomu, scorer of 37 tries in 63 test appearances, still has enormous pull as was clear from the number of people, young and old, who sidled up and asked to have photos taken with him which he agreed to - three policemen waited for 20 minutes to have their photo taken with him.
"Its quite humbling for people to recognise me, given it is now 20 years ago since I first played in the World Cup.
"Made all the more humbling when kids come up to me and say 'I never saw you play live, but I watch you on YouTube' and other children saying they want to play like me."
Lomu's heading to America for the first time yet, so the countdown continues with almost 4 weeks to go before touchdown, the excitement has lifted to a level above all, a Lomu level I guess you could call it.
Rugby's first true Global Superstar Jonah Lomu MNZM is set to walk the streets of Utah, Salt Lake City, where he will join the wonderful locals and VIP guests for a Gala Dinner. "It's an honour for me and to have my wife with me, she's my manager too Lomu says with a smile, but a chance to meet many great people on this trip and to see the true beauty within Salt Lake City is exciting for us both".
When briefly talking to Jonah about his life, well...there would never be enough pages in a book if he were to write it all down, it wouldn't matter how many chapters or even how many editions he wrote, this guy has such an extraordinary story to share of his many achievements and experiences both on and off the pitch. The life he lived as a young boy growing up in the streets of South Auckland, New Zealand, the boy he once was...who grew up fast, he had no choice on that. Fighting for survival, to keep his shoes on his feet, the jacket on his back as he slept in bus shelters with no place to go at the age of 14.
Thinking back, Jonah shares dark memories of the days and cold, tough nights of sleeping on the streets. Hard to even imagine as I listen to him talking. A young boy that had no one to help him, no place to turn for warmth, the bus shelter was it! Nothing good could come of staying on the streets either he tells, I was kicked out of home for protecting my mum, that's no secret but on the streets, I knew the only one I could rely on was myself.
Jonah knew, if he wanted something, a better life, a life to do something with himself; there wasn't anyone that would hand it to him, there wasn't anyone to help him do something good either, he knew he had to make it happen, so he did!
The Gala Dinner is set to be a fantastic evening to share with the legendary Jonah Lomu MNZM; the youngest ever to wear the All Black Jersey at the age of just 19 years and 45 days. Join in on an unforgettable evening. A Global Superstar to the World, an Inspiration, an Icon and a friend to his great global fan family whom he remains thankful for, a guy who has never forgotten where he came from!
Gala Dinner proudly brought to you by Jonah Lomu 7one5 and Domain Sports Media. With thanks to all sponsors.
I'll keep it short this time my friends as I know the world keeps us all so busy busy but come join me on KICCA, check out the latest news there linked in with my official site www.kicca.com/jonahlomu is where I'll be posting live time messages and more. With so many cool things coming up, Team Lomu are excited to soon be sharing it all with you so we do look forward to welcoming you onboard as part of our KICCA family too. Till then be safe...
Join us to be part of the UNSTOPPABLE Tour, for tickets and more info go to http://adsportsevents.com
To get in on the hype of the Tour, chat with the great Jonah Lomu MNZM on his social network pages: http://www.kicca.com/jonahlomu @JONAHTALILOMU or The Original Jonah LOMU for Facebook.
Arguably the most famous rugby player in history, Lomu made his debut appearance in Hong Kong in 1994, giving Hong Kong Sevens fans a privileged opportunity to witness a superstar in the making. Jonah Lomu won three straight Hong Kong Sevens trophies in the mid-1990s, the legend taking UNDEFEATED to a level above all.
Lomu came to Hong Kong as an unheralded youngster and exited the Sevens on the cusp of stardom. Months later he was selected as the then youngest-ever All Black at just 19 years and 45 days old, making his debut against France. The following year he cemented his reputation as rugby’s most unstoppable force by scoring seven tries at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa.
Lomu returned to the Hong Kong Sevens in 1995 and 1996 to help New Zealand to three successive tournament victories and secure himself an abiding place in Hong Kong’s sporting lore.
Winning proudly for New Zealand, taking home a Gold Medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and led his country to its first Rugby World Cup Sevens victory in Argentina in 2001. - Lisa Stroll.
As AON Insurance move into rugby what greater global rugby icon to have as their special guest as their national conference, the once was a kid, that changed the face of rugby Jonah Lomu took to the stage with thrills and excitement.
Being the youngest and he who remains to be the youngest to wear the All Black Jersey at the age of 19 years, to this day years beyond setting foot onto the field, Jonah Lomu remains to be a strength of inspiration to many around the globe, his worldwide fan family that think nothing but the best of the man and father he has become today.
Sharing moments of his career and upbringing on life in general he had many emotions moving throughout the room from laughter to tears as she spoke.
Inspiring many, people expressed how honored they were to have been in the presence of the great Jonah Lomu, a moment they gave thanks for and would cherish and hold onto.
The G3K proudly welcomes Jonah Lomu as partner, participant and brand ambassador on the G3K. Jonah was the first true global superstar of rugby union and with his love of cars, he is a perfect addition to the G3K team.
The G3K is the brain child of event director, Patrick Crowley, whose love for fast cars, road touring and adventure led him to develop the concept that is `The Grand 3000` In addition to rugby and music, cars, especially fast cars, having always been a passion of Jonah’s...he's owned almost every dream car ever built! “… Put me together with cars and music, and you have the perfect mix”, mentions Jonah.
The event has been developed with the movie Casablanca as its back drop, and it is hoped that the G3K can infuse the style, sophistication and romance that Bogart and Bergman brought to our screens in the 1940’s, and the power and roar of the modern day super car. The final gala night is planned for Casablanca, the scene where the famous Casablanca story unfolded.
The G3K will roll out of Kinsale with travel to London, Paris, Grenoble, Antibes, Genoa, Barcelona, Madrid, Marbella and finally landing in Casablanca in Morocco. The ethos underpinning the G3K is one of style and elegance. The G3K 100 will be treated to the best hotels that each of our stopovers has to offer, top class service and some experiences en-route that will be hard to forget. It will truly be the trip of a lifetime. The 100 will be immersed in to a different experience at each of the stopovers that will excite their senses and will combine to create an unforgettable trip.
For interviews with Jonah Lomu please contact Nadene Lomu HYPERLINK "mailto:nadenelomu7one5@gmail.com" or via website HYPERLINK "http://www.jonahlomu7one5.com"
