"Jonah Lomu - Dare to Dream"

[Wobbly]

For those not in NZ, there was a bloody good documentary on the Telly here in NZ this week - on Jonah Lomu and his battle with kidney failure.

A few facts that stunned me and I know will probably surprise others were:

Lomu wasn't 100% at the 1995 World Cup.  He was already in the early stages of kidney failure.  He laughs when people said he was at the peak of his powers at that tournament when he single-handedly monstered England.  He said he felt like shit and after each game was utterly shattered.  At that time only he and his doctors knew of the illness.

Consequently he was also ill at the 1999 World Cup.  By this time the coaches knew he had a kidney problem and were able to manage his training and playing accordingly.  He was our standout player again at that tournament.  Incredible really given he was not a well man.

Once his kidneys had failed completely he was on dialysis to stay alive.  2002 I think?  He would dialyse in Auckland in the evening, catch the red-eye to Wellington the next day and train with the Hurricanes.  

To put that into perspective:  I know someone who has dialysed, and she says that generally, walking to the shops the next day was a monumental effort.

He's an incredibly driven and motivated bloke.  Since his kidney transplant it seems he is more motivated than ever to wear the Black No.11 jersey again,  

I was bloody impressed with the way he spoke and the way he has taken on his illness head on.

If he makes it back to the top level in rugby - and I hope he does, it will be the comeback story to beat them all.  


Cheers,

Wobbly.

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

Yes , Wobbly , it certainly brought home the incredible efforts & sacrifices he has aready made in his career to stay on the field even.

I also think that more people will now appreciate what it will take even from now on to make it back.

Go Big Fella.........nothing will stop you now......Keep on daring to dream !

        Cheers,  Baz  

[Pommie B*stard]

Still my favourite player and a great man in his own right - I'd have liked to have seen that programme. Did anyone by any chance tape/DVD it?

I'll be there at Twickenham in June when he plays his comeback match against Johnno's XV. After everything he's been through I hope he does make it back to full test level - and if he were to lift the RWC in 2007.....  

[Scott_E_Boy]

Ditto on the warm fuzzies being thrown around for the big man.

I've said before in numerous threads why I am a fan of his work, so I shant repeat myself here.

I would love to see him back at his best again (as long as its not at the expense of the wallabies  )

Good luck to you Jonah.

[Stripe]

remember the days when we used to hear a player who's name shall not be mentioned compared with jonah?

[zero]

The big man is an epitome of great sportsmanship, an excellent examplary figure in sports or daily life that leads the way by achieving his dream not giving in to extreme adversities!

I sorely missed the kind of monstrosities like those he inflicted on England. No ONE SINGLE NAME sounded out so loudly in non-rugbying nations like his!

Why am I an All Blacks fan?
1) the amazing equation of a meagre population of 4 million people = No. 1 world ranking
2) the mysticism of haka and racial synergy, on the pitch at least, and of course,
3) JONAH LOMU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Though he'll be in N. Harbour, I heard he prefers Canes instead of Blues. Anyway, as long as he is happy, gain match time and fitness, tune back and improve his craft, and help ABs lift Webb Ellis Cup in 2007, that'll be great for me!!!
I'm gonna miss Rokocoko though.

[Stripe]

 

...I'm gonna miss Rokocoko though.

    ....    

[Gwynn]

We'll have to force Joe to play on the other wing.  

Gwynn

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

 Great to see all the tributes to the Big Fella & I , as much as anyone would love it if he made it back into the AB's but let's remember how far he had had to come already to even contemplate playing in the Martin Johnstone match.  

 What I mean is, don't let our selfish expectations exceed Jonah's own reality......I want to be happy with even the Herculean effort he's shown up to now.....and not say I want to see him at 2007 World  Cup if it is going to compromise his health in any way  

 Just let's celebrate each new frontier as it is achieved   ....so that it never becomes a bridge too far!  
         
         Look after him well, you NH boys!  

                    Cheers,
                          Baz  

[zero]

What I mean is, don't let our selfish expectations exceed Jonah's own reality......I want to be happy with even the Herculean effort he's shown up to now.....and not say I want to see him at 2007 World  Cup if it is going to compromise his health in any way  

 Just let's celebrate each new frontier as it is achieved   ....so that it never becomes a bridge too far!  
         
         Look after him well, you NH boys!  

[zero]

Sorry, supposed to type in earlier reply:

Well said Baz, *clap clap* It's almost superhuman for the big fella to come back to rugby thus far, a monumental achievement in it's own right. Fully agree that his health shouldn't be compromised any further. As if a lifetime dependency of counter-rejection medication is not bad enough. All the best to THE ELEVEN!