Rugby: Jonah Lomu honoured with provincial rugby trophy

Jonah Lomu's name will be (further) immortalised in a new trophy to be played for between two of his three old unions.

Jonah Lomu's name will be (further) immortalised in a new trophy to be played for between two of his three old unions.

The upcoming Mitre 10 Cup fixture between the Counties Manukau Steelers and Wellington Lions on Friday September 9 at ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe will have a special touch.

Both sides will be honouring the life of Lomu, by playing in the inaugural Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy match. Lomu was a proud Counties and Wellington man and a standout for both provincial unions. He played 28 games for Counties Manukau from 1994-99 and 21 games for Wellington from 2000-2003.

The 'Number 11' Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy will go on the line every time Counties Manukau and Wellington meet in the future.

Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union chief executive Andrew Maddock said next Friday night's match will be a special event.

"We are honoured to be able to host the inaugural Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy match at ECOLight Stadium. Jonah's contribution to Counties was and still is immense. We are proud that rugby's first international superstar started here."

Wellington Rugby chief executive Steve Rogers concurred: "Jonah was an icon of New Zealand rugby wherever he went and whichever team he played for. As a union, Wellington are proud and privileged that Jonah Lomu wore our province's colours with the same pride and distinction that he did for Counties Manukau.

"He was a role model both on and off the field during his time in Wellington and loved by fans, players and peers alike.

"We are honoured to be able to contest a trophy that bears Jonah's name and there is no doubt it will become a valued part of history of both provinces in the years to come."

The Steelers will be wearing special edition jerseys against the Lions for Friday night's match. The jerseys are based on that which was worn by Lomu and his teammates in the '90s.

Lomu died last November, aged just 40.