New Zealand star Jonah Lomu dies aged 40

New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu has died at the age of 40 ©Getty Images

New Zealand rugby union legend Jonah Lomu, considered one of the greatest of all time, has died suddenly at the age of 40.

Lomu, who scored 37 tries in 63 international caps for the All Blacks from the wing, was diagnosed with a rare kidney condition, nephrotic syndrome, in 1996.

He retired from rugby in 2002 and had a kidney transplant two years later, before the organ eventually stopped working in 2011.

According to family spokesman John Mayhew, Lomu’s sudden death was “unexpected” and the exact cause is not yet known.

The All Black had been working as an ambassador for sponsor Heineken at the recent World Cup in England and had just arrived back in Auckland after spending time with family in Dubai.

The New Zealand star is survived by his wife Nadene and sons Brayley, six, and Dhyreille, five.

“On behalf of the Lomu family, I can confirm that Jonah Lomu died this morning, most probably about eight or nine this morning,” Tayhew said.

“It was totally unexpected.

“Jonah and his family arrived back from the United Kingdom last night and he suddenly died this morning.”

Jonah Lomu was considered one of the all-time greats and was influential in getting rugby sevens included at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year ©Getty Images

Tributes have poured in from all over the world for Lomu, who was regarded as the game of rugby’s first truly global superstar.

He remains the joint-highest World Cup try scorer on 15, along with South African wing Bryan Habana, and was also a huge influence off the pitch, with his performance at the 1995 tournament, where he bundled over a heap of England players to score an iconic try in the semi-final, largely credited for the rise in sponsorship and commercial partnerships the game enjoys today.

Lomu was also one of the key campaigners in getting rugby sevens onto the Olympic programme for next year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro, joining a delegation which presented the sport’s case to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its Session in Copenhagen in 2009.

“Today rugby has lost one of its true greats,” World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said.

“Not just one of the finest players ever to play the game, but a gentleman, a role model and an icon.

“Jonah's contribution to rugby cannot be overstated.

“Even after hanging up his boots, Jonah continued to promote and support the sport that he loved with as much passion, vigour and dedication as he channelled into playing.

“He gave his full support and considerable time to rugby's Olympic Games campaign, presenting a compelling argument at the decisive IOC session in Copenhagen in 2009 and of course he played such a massive part in supporting and promoting the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.”