Jonah Lomu: People say that semi-final against England was the best game I ever played… Imagine what I could have done if I wasn’t suffering from kidney disease

Jonah Lomu scored scored 37 tries in 63 Tests for the All Blacks
The powerful winger lit up the 1995 and 1999 World Cups
Lomu burst onto the scene during the 1995 tournament in South Africa

Published:
00:33 GMT, 27 August 2015

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Updated:
01:07 GMT, 27 August 2015

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It remains one of the World Cup’s defining moments. The image of Jonah Lomu rampaging over England full-back Mike Catt in Cape Town has been etched into the tournament’s rich history.

On June 18, 1995 – Lomu announced himself to the world with a four-try blitz that dumped England out of the tournament as the All Blacks cruised to a 45-29 victory at Newlands.

The powerful winger, who could run 100m in less than 11 seconds, became rugby’s first global superstar that day – but, unknown to the England side which he terrorised, he had been battling a debilitating kidney disorder known as nephrotic syndrome.

Jonah Lomu (left) was in London to take part in the Heineken Rugby World Cup launch at Somerset House

(From left to right) Test legends John Smit, Scott Quinnell, Jonah Lomu, Will Carling and Matt Dawson

Former All Blacks winger Lomu, who won 63 caps for his country, takes a selfie with his comrades

Somerset House is lit up against the backdrop of the London skyline on Wednesday night

‘People say to me that semi-final must have been the best game you ever played,’ Lomu told the Telegraph. ‘And I say yeah, maybe. But imagine what I could have done if I was healthy.’

‘I had problems when I got abrasions, they just always got infected.

‘I felt so tired. When the lads went out to socialise, I’d take a sandwich back to my hotel room. And I was usually so tired I’d wake up five hours later with egg and salad all over my face.’

Lomu struggled with the condition for the next four seasons, but, incredibly, managed to return for the 1999 World Cup.

The Auckland-born winger scored eight tries during the tournament including a barnstorming brace during New Zealand’s shock semi-final defeat by France at Twickenham.

The Tongan giant, who requires regular dialysis to manage his condition, underwent a kidney transplant in 2004 – but his body rejected the new kidney in 2011 leading to further complications. The 63-cap All Black is now awaiting a second transplant.

Next month’s showpiece on English soil promises to the most open tournament in living memory with New Zealand heading to London in an ominous vein of form after their 41-13 dismantling of Australia at Eden Park.

Lomu tramples over England’s Mike Catt on the way to scoring one of his four tries in the 1995 semi-final

Lomu powers through the France defence to score his second try in the ill-fated 1999 semi-final in London

The Wallabies, despite that setback in Auckland, will arrive as holders of the Rugby Championship while South Africa have unearthed a host of talented young players, in form of Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and Lood de Jager, despite their inconsistent form in recent months.

France have World Cup pedigree while Ireland are back-to-back Six Nations champions. Then there is hosts England, despite their worrying form in Paris, and dark horses Wales to add to the mix as well as the ever-improving Argentina.

‘I’ve got no idea who’ll win.’ the former Wellington Hurricanes winger admitted.

Lomu brushes off the tackle to Stephen Larkham to score the match-winning try against Australia in 2000

‘The World Cup is completely different to Test matches. Someone could fall ill. Players can get injured. So many variables. You need a bit of luck. And a kicker.’

Do Stuart Lancaster’s side have what it takes to secure the William Webb Ellis trophy?

‘Why not? Home support will make a difference,’ Lomu added. ‘And actually I don’t see it as a problem that the game against France gave them more headaches than answers. I think it’s exciting to see what their young players might do.’