'There will never be another Lomu' - Umaga

Jonah Lomu and Tana Umaga played alongside each other in the All Blacks. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Tana Umaga provided a simple explanation when asked why Jonah Lomu captured the imagination of New Zealand and world rugby.

"He was unique," said the Blues coach, who played alongside Lomu throughout their illustrious careers. "There's never been another Jonah Lomu."

Many attempted to replicate Lomu's impact, Umaga explained, but the imitators were nothing like the real thing, leaving Lomu's legend to only grow after his death earlier today.

"Everyone's tried to manufacture one," Umaga said. "They've tried to put forwards out into the backs and tried to put someone on the wing who was the same size. But there was no one else like him. And, to be honest, there probably never will be."

Lomu's singular status also extended off the field, particularly after the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when his fame exploded in a similar fashion to how the hulking wing blew through so many opposing defences. Lomu was perhaps the first rugby player to fully experience every facet of the newly-professional game, paving the way for so many others to follow his giant footsteps.

"He was a unique individual as well," Umaga said. "He did live his life in a bit of a goldfish bowl, after that World Cup, and he did it really well. He understood the expectations on him, he understood the new guidelines in his life he had to live within.

"We sat on the outside seeing all the accolades he was getting but knowing that it came at a price. He let us know there was certain responsibilities to what you did and that's how he helped players - just letting them know the responsibility to becoming an All Black, of being in the spotlight. He kind of led the way in that."

The help Lomu would provide other players and other people was something Umaga remembered as much as any of his on-field achievements, with so many, including the sport itself, owing Lomu a debt of gratitude.

"He's a very generous man, very generous with his time and generous with what he had, with his advice and the betterment of other players," Umaga said. "Those from his background, seeing what he achieved and what he's done for world rugby is huge.

"And he single-handedly, I believe, put rugby back on the map. We've got to make sure we understand that and respect that. You go anywhere and, although the All Blacks are huge, the one player they talk about is Jonah Lomu. That's who they know."