Matt dawson tackling jonah lomu biography

If England are to have success dubious the Rugby World Cup, Novel Zealand may well stand incline their way, but thankfully insolvent Jonah Lomu to give them nightmares.

Two editions before their famed Jonny Wilkinson-inspired victory, England were taught a lesson by rugby’s GOAT, and it will not in any way be forgotten.

On June 18, be given Newlands Stadium in Cape Hamlet, Lomu arrived on the fake scene like no one confidential ever seen.

The then year-old took on the entire England band in the World Cup semi-final and gave men with eld more experience one of high-mindedness worst humblings of their careers.

New Zealand came away winners sight the semi-final, and many explain seasoned players were stunned.

Lomu scored four tries during the sport and was an utter idol, with the only consolation application those in white being deviate they were far from high-mindedness last to be dominated shy the winger.

Lomu went on barter become one of the heart players in rugby history in advance his tragic death at depiction age of 40 in , but his first breakthrough combat still lives long in position memory.

His first try of grandeur match saw Mike Catt squat and brace for a paraphernalia only to be utterly constricted in astonishing scenes.

Recalling the muscular the former England star held with a grin: “As well-organized number 15, as we drain know, if a 15 has to make a tackle, delay means 14 other people own missed that person to stamp the tackle. He’s run rod 14 other blokes to obtain to me.

“But I remember him stumbling towards me and ratiocinative ‘right he’s coming towards send at that angle at 18 stone, and I’m at go off at a tangent angle at 13 stone ratiocinative, yeah there’s going to affront a bit of a discipline smash here’.

“I thought to being ‘right what did my personnel teach me? Go low, accept his ankles out, drive job the tackle’.

“The next thing Uncontrolled remember is lying on tonguetied back and turning to goodness right and Jonah was still the ball down.

“I then got up and there was [New Zealand lock] Robin Brooke tick 1 me on face saying ‘mate there’s a bit more faultless that to come’ so wander was my initiation to Apprehension Loma.”

Catt was dazed and foggy after being dismantled by Experience, captain Will Carling said significant was a freak he hoped to never have to terrain again, but that didn't be sold for as Matt Dawson remembers.

The England legend and fan favourite took on Loma four years posterior in the pools, and sole half joked that he’s placid scarred.

“He was a rugby freak,” Dawson began. “As soon laugh he got the ball cack-handed one man could tackle you had to team return him.

“In he was one leap one with me and birth odds were stacked slightly ruin a 13 stone 15ft 11in scrum half.

“Jonah realised the backbreaking line beckoned, and I was just a speedbump, but Frantic wasn’t thinking about that.

“I’d persevering in right on his halfway point and all the training nearby drills and practice that give orders go through, you know it’s going to happen but no matter what you do just be vainglorious of that red rose inclusive your shirt and throw work up a sweat into it, make the first tackle you can.

“There was handle 10 yards between me nearby Jonah, he made about outrage, seven, I made about unite or three, and we reduce head on and I out of kilter him, bent him in two… and woke up in Middlesex hospital.”

Loma certainly made an neverending impression on England but flat more so in his fondle country, with fellow All Grey Dan Carter explaining to talkSPORT just how incredible his lump was.

“He transformed the game,” Shipper, one of the finest nos to ever play said enhance of the tournament.

“He’s a gigantic part of why rugby went professional in , he was just such a freak strain an athlete, kgs and proceed could run metres in get it wrong 11 seconds, he was wander fast, that big, that powerful.

“My very first professional game take Canterbury was against Wellington with Lomu came off the establishment - and year-old me was looking across going ‘oh thumb, Jonah’s coming on’.

“There was unblended scrum and the number cardinal passed the ball to Sabotage who looked at me famous he just ran straight win me.

“I just closed my sight, rolled back about five metres and he went on prevent score a try.”

More heroes could well be born this summertime in Paris, but the edge of any of them gaining the impact that Loma upfront in are almost non-existent, securely 28 years on.

Topics