Rugby Legend Died At Forty

Jonah Lomu had dealt with the severe kidney ailment nephrotic syndrome since 1995 which forced his premature retirement from international rugby in 2002.

After having a kidney transplant in 2004 he tried unsuccessfully to resume his professional career in Wales and France.

The All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu has died at the age of forty.

Nadene Lomu, the wife and manager of the rugby great, said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that I must announce my dear husband Jonah Lomu died (overnight).

"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."

A family spokesman told TV3: "I can confirm that Jonah Lomu died this morning ... it was totally unexpected.

"Jonah and his family arrived back from the UK last night."

While his health seemed to improve he could not regain his former dominance and eventually retired from all rugby in 2006.

Since Lomu's transplant failed in 2011, he became reliant on dialysis.

He won 63 caps for the All Blacks during an impressive career which saw him regarded as rugby union's first global superstar.