Former All Blacks Coach and family spokesperson John Hart says that Jonah Lomu was suffering from a serious kidney disorder. The New Zealand Rugby Union’s International superstar died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday. Lomu was 40.

“He’d (Lomu) had cardiac arrest, clearly related to his kidney condition,” Hart revealed in a report by the Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s just one of those things that took a great man from us.”

The wing, who gave the All Blacks a brilliant array of 63 Rugby Test matches, was reportedly battling a rare kidney disease since his retirement from the sport. Hart added that Lomu’s widow, Nadene, was inconsolable with his sudden death, which came only a day after heading back from Dubai. Lomu is survived by his two sons and Nadene.

Lomu’s death was just as equally surprising for the former All Blacks coach, who also said that the rugby player had been doing well during the World Cup Rugby in England.

According to Telegraph, Lomu was in robust good health just before the World Cup final when he was touring UK. Former All Blacks Coach Graham Henry also said he was shocked by the news and he remembered how cheerful Lomu was at the World Cup.

Auckland-born Lomu rose to international fame at the 1995 Rugby World Cup when he was only 19. His score of seven tries in four matches, including a big four against England in Cape Town semi-final had ‘terrorised’ his opponents in that tournament.

Following his debut, offers flew in from numerous domestic teams for Lomu—Auckland Blues, North Harbour, Chiefs and Hurricanes, and Wellington among others. Lomu held the record of the highest try scorer in World Cup history, along with South African Bryan Habana.

Tributes had begun to pour in from all over the world as Lomu’s death news aired. Hart says there has been no final words on Lomu’s funeral arrangements. However, he revealed it would possibly be held at the All Blacks fortress at Eden Park.

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