Giant Heart:
How Jonah Lomu Became a Rugby Legend
David Hill with Nadine Lomu
Ill. Michel Mulipola
Biography, Picture book
36 pages, hardback
ISBN 978-1-77695-743-9
Jonah’s story begins with his birth in Auckland in 1975
and the six formative years he spent living with his Aunt Longo and Uncle Masese
in Tonga. Returning to Auckland, Jonah excelled at sports, from sprinting to
javelin throwing. Playing against him in a friendly touch rugby game, Eric Rush
thought 14-year-old Jonah might make a good player. ‘But Jonah didn’t become
good. He became great,’ comments David Hill
Chosen for the 1994 All Blacks when he was only 19, Jonah
soon made an impact on the rugby world. ‘It sometimes took three tacklers to
stop him. Commentators called him “a freight train in ballet shoes”.’
The colour illustrations by Michel Mulipola are splendid,
especially the dramatic rugby scenes. In
one, Jonah is barging ahead clutching the ball and fending off five players. Mulipola
also captures Jonah Lomu’s rise to international fame in three lovely cameos:
Lomu meeting the Queen and her corgis, Lomu laughing at his own waxwork in
Madame Tussaud’s and Lomu’s car being stopped by police who are seeking his
autograph.
There was, however, a darker side to Jonah’s situation
and Mulipola captures it in a sombre picture of a wincing Jonah clutching his
side as he heads for the dressing room. ‘He didn’t know it but he was
starting to suffer from a kidney disease called nephrotic syndrome.’
David Hill is particularly good at describing Jonah’s
personality and his generous spirit on and off the field. We learn about his
joy in loud music and fast cars, as well as his taste for Tongan food. ‘I
love Tongan food. Taro, mussels. Yeah!’
Both author and artist carefully depict a 1999 moment
that characterised Jonah’s impressive personality. Defeated by France, most of
the All Blacks left the pitch for the dressing room. ‘But Jonah stayed on
the field after the final whistle, shaking hands with the French team and
congratulating them.’ I still remember that he also went over to the stands
to talk to some New Zealand supporters. It was indeed a striking moment,
displaying his generous nature. It is no surprise that so many people offered
to donate one of their kidneys if it would help keep Jonah alive.
A kidney transplant did extend his life to 2015, and Jonah
made good use of his last years as a sports ambassador and supporter of charity
work, which is well described here in words and pictures. David Hill had the
co-operation of Jonah’s widow, Nadene Lomu, in the writing of her husband’s
life story. One of the last pictures shows Nadene with their sons, Brayley and Dhyreille,
about to present the Jonah Lomu Memorial trophy, one of many continuing reminders
of Jonah Lomu’s heritage.
