VIDEO: Brian O’Driscoll recalls the pitfalls in tackling 'gentleman' Jonah Lomu
Lomu, seen as one of the greatest rugby players of all time, passed away last night aged 40 after a long battle with a serious kidney disease which was diagnosed in 1995.
The world of sport has been paying tribute to the All Black legend, who scored 37 tries in 63 test matches and holds the record for most tries in Rugby World Cup history with Springbok Bryan Habana.
O’Driscoll described Lomu as one of the greatest players ever to grace the game.
“He was someone you would love your kids to look up to,” said the former Ireland captain. “A real superstar of the game that had all the qualities you would hope to aspire to in a hero.”
Speaking on the Anton Savage Show on Today FM, O’Driscoll said Lomu “changed the dynamic of rugby."
“He was the first big superstar,” said the former Ireland captain. “He was unique at a time when rugby was at a tipping point.
“He changed the perception of the game.”
Despite suffering from a serious illness, Lomu appeared in good form during the recent Rugby World Cup where he worked as a co-commentator for New Zealand television.
Lomu’s rare condition, nephrotic syndrome, hampered his career and led to his early retirement. He had kidney transplant surgery in 2004 and received a replacement kidney in 2011, but his body rejected the second kidney and his health deteriorated. He underwent long daily dialysis sessions since but his death was unexpected.
O’Driscoll described the news as a “huge shock.”
He recalled how he woke in the night to tend to his child who was crying, when he saw the news on his phone. “I couldn’t get back to sleep after,” he said. “I was really shocked."
“As much as he was sick since 2002 and particularly in 2011, he was in good form over the World Cup and there was no signs that this was imminent.”
O’Driscoll recalled a story from Ireland’s encounters with the big Kiwi winger.
“I remember hearing about Gary Halpin playing for Ireland against New Zealand and he (Lomu) went on one of those runs,” he said.
“Halpin ran past Mick Popplewell and Poppy said ‘where are you going Gaz?’, and Gary said ‘I’ve to go over and tackle him.’
“Poppy said ‘be careful, if you get there too early you might have to tackle him’,” laughed O’Driscoll.
While he admitted the story might have a hint of folklore to it, he said “I believe it did happen.”
O’Driscoll himself came up against Lomu in 2001, when New Zealand beat Ireland 40-29 after ireland could not maintain their brilliant first-half form and the Kiwis dominated the second.
The former centre recalled being caught in a position few would want to be in: facing Lomu five yards out from the Irish try line with the powerful winger on the ball.
“I remember being left one-on-one with him and there was an inevitability about what was going to happen,” he said. “I was only going to be a road bump and someone else was going to have to come in and finish the job after."
“Simple physics will tell you there’s only going to be one winner,” O’Driscoll laughed
“He ran over the top of me and scored a try.”
While Lomu’s stardom helped push the game into the professional era, O’Driscoll maintained he was never one to seek the spotlight.
“He was very quiet off the pitch, a very shy person.”
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