Jonah Lomu – A Living Legend
In Reading we are learning about Extraordinary New Zealanders that have made a difference.This week we have been reading about the living legend Jonah Lomu.
Background Information
Jonah Lomu was born on the 12th May 1975. He was born in South Auckland, New Zealand. He is 32 years old. His parents are Tongan. When Jonah Lomu was 9 years old he had to run behind his parents car every Sunday to go to church because he was too tall to fit into the car!
Jonah’s Dream
Jonah Lomu’s dream was to wear the black jersey of the New Zealand, All Blacks. The All Blacks are the best rugby team in the world. Jonah Lomu became the youngest ever All Black in history.
He was only 19 years and 45 days old when he had his first match.
Match History
Jonah Lomu’s first Provincial side was Counties Manukau. He played 28 games for them between 1994 and 1999. He played his first World Cup against France and then he was selected in 1995 to play in his second World Cup. In 1996 he played against the Barbarians in England.
Jonah Lomu was once described as being like a Boeing 747 because he was big, fast and made the ground shake like an earthquake. When he played he was also described as brushing off the other players as if they were flies meaning that they weren’t strong and they didn’t really challenge Jonah Lomu.
Life changing illness
After Jonah played against the Barbarians in England he had to stay in bed for 3 days because he couldn’t move. He was told he had a serious liver disease and that he would not be able to play rugby again and he would spend most of his life in a wheelchair chained to a machine that was going to clean his blood.
Nothing is Impossible
Jonah Lomu never gave up. After 9 months Jonah Lomu was back on the rugby field ready to play. He found the power within himself to get better and get back up there to achieve his dreams of being a rugby player.
Jonah Lomu is an extraordinary because he made a difference with the All Blacks by helping them to become the best team in the World.
We admire him because he is one of the best players in the history of the All Blacks and because he believed in himself and never gave up his dreams.
Facts about Jonah Lomu
Full Name : Jonah Tali Lomu
Height : 1 metre 96 centimetres
Weight : 116 kilograms
Speed : Can run 100 meters in 10.8 seconds
Size : Wears size 13 boots
College : Studied at Wesley College, Pukekohe
Eye Colour : Dark Brown
Favourite Colours : Yellow & Blue
Chest : 116 centimetres
Hips : 125 centimetres
Research and writing by
The White & Yellow Reading Group
