Oscar Kightley: It was lonely at top for Jonah Lomu

Jonah Lomu was the most famous Jonah since his biblical namesake, and his impact on the Pacific Islands community was unprecedented, says actor and director Oscar Kightley.

Kightley said the rugby star burst open possibilities for young Pacific Islanders seeking a way to overcome economic barriers with sport.

"There wasn't anyone as big as Jonah. He was a giant - and the most famous Jonah before him was the one with the whale."

His heart was as big as a whale's too, Kightley added.

Kightley said Lomu continued an evolution in rugby that started with Bryan Williams and other Pacific stars, but took that to a new level, becoming a global hero.

But the immense fame came with a price. Kightley said although other sports had been professional for decades, the exposure and media obligations other pro sportspeople knew well were a novelty for Lomu.

"It must have been lonely for him at the top," Kightley said. "I think it's something he always had to carry."

But Kightley said Lomu was magnanimous in the face of personal and professional setbacks, such as the All Blacks' exit from the 1999 World Cup.

Kightley said he was fortunate to meet Lomu several times.

He said Lomu's upbringing imbued him with down-to-earth qualities all New Zealanders could respect and identify with. Additional reporting by Solbin Kang