#RIPJonah: Rugby legend Jonah Lomu passes away aged 40

The world was handed a shocking news earlier today as it was confirmed that New Zealand rugby great Jonah Lomu passed away at the tender age of 40.

Lomu, who appeared for the All Blacks between 1994 and 2002, had a kidney condition that was well-publicised. He went through a kidney transplant in 2004, though his condition deteriorated seven years later, when it stopped functioning.

Since then, Lomu had been undergoing dialysis on a weekly basis, and in his last interview with the Daily Mail in August, the rugby great revealed that he was hoping to undergo a second kidney transplant.

Unfortunately though, Lomu passed away rather unexpectedly, having only just returned from the United Kingdom, following the recent Rugby World Cup.

“Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world,” New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement.

“We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family,” he added.

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