Editorial: Open letter to Jonah

Hey Jonah, What gives? Was thinking of you this morning - and your troubles. But it was a bit of a funny one. The thought, I mean.

I was thinking that I wished Mehrts had said at halftime in "that World Cup semifinal" at Twickers in '99: "Jonah when I get the ball for the first time in the second half I'll give it to you no matter where we are on the field, and we'll finish off the French."

Shame he didn't. You were on fire that day. Who would have guessed that was your last chance to win.

It only seems like yesterday that I first clapped eyes on you, playing for Wesley College in a secondary school sevens tournament. Man, I have never seen anything like it. "Future All Black great" has never been as clearly stamped on anybody.

You know, I used to have a workmate who bragged about her son's team containing you - just you - in that tournament the year before.

The world was yours to conquer.

Hong Kong Sevens in '94, and then the World Cup in '95. Double-o for awesome - as Quinny said, "Lomu, o, o". It's always good to give one to the Poms.

But those Springboks, they were like my ex-workmate's son's team.

The players of today have much to thank you for, though - like Murdoch's dollars.

It was a shock when you disclosed your kidney problem.

But it didn't really sink in. I can remember seeing you on a small open field in England later that year, just standing there by yourself before training.

It was one of those shots that "Bushy" would take. I thought - "oh my God", actually. That field looked small with you on it.

They were great days.

I used to love going out to Pukekohe to watch Counties Manukau play. A great team - Jimmy Coe, Errol, Marshy, you, Joeli and the rest.

And the Blues could be relied upon to win.

Then you did the right thing and came to the mighty Hurricanes.

You had your share of ups and downs in those latter years, but there you were in '99. Our best at another World Cup. That's some record - 15 tries.

Do you know I once got an email from some Colombians telling me they loved rugby and Jonah?

But enough nostalgia. It's just a snapshot from my Lomu album of memories to let you know what you mean to me, us, the rugby public. Hopefully it will offer you a little cheer.

It's been great to see you working as a World Cup ambassador this year, featuring in the opening ceremony, and you looked so well in Hamilton just over a week ago.

I just wanted to say get well taonga, son of the rugby nation.

We always need you strong in World Cup year. Hope to see you at the final. Maybe we'll win this time.

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*  Jonah Lomu is currently in Auckland Hospital for kidney treatment. According to a media report he is in a "stable" yet "unpredictable" condition. He was donated a kidney in 2004 by Wellington radio announcer Grant Kereama.

Grant Harding is the deputy editor of Hawke's Bay Today. He is a former editor of New Zealand Rugby News and New Zealand Rugby World magazines, and produced Sky Sport's Re:Union between 2000 and 2006.