RIP Jonah Lomu: His Former Prep School Does Final Haka Dance in His Honor

Jonah Lomu died yesterday at the age of 40. The former star for the “All-Blacks,” New Zealand’s Rugby team, had battled kidney issues for much of his adult life, was forced to retire early in 2002 because of his health, and had a kidney transplant over a decade ago. The official cause of death was a heart attack.

Above is a final Haka dance–the traditional Maori war cry performed by the All-Blacks Rugby team–by students at his former prep school, Wesley College, after hearing of his untimely death.

Lomu’s exploits predated the internet explosion and the existence of social media. Had he come along two decades later, he would have been a constant internet sensation for his combination of speed and power and explosive hits and stiff-arms that he laid on defenders trying to get in his way.

His body was betrayed by the rare kidney disease that shortened his career, but for a period of time, Lomu was a transformational figure in the sport. If you want the American football equivalent, he was Bo Jackson. As a 19-year-old, he was the star of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, scoring 7 total tries, including 4 in the semifinal victory over England. Below are some of his highlights, from that World Cup, if you want to see him in action.

[image via @AllBlacks]