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Reactions: Lomu's choice Users respond to rugby player's decision to stay in N.Z.Posted: Tuesday December 07, 1999 11:06 AM
CNNSI.com asked users to respond to Jonah Lomu's decision to remain with the All Blacks for at least another two years. A sample of the most interesting responses follows:
Good on Jonah, as he said last time he was scouted. He was raised by the NZRFU, so why should he desert them and all the fans just for money? He already has all the financial security a person could need.
I would hate to see rugby turn out like football in the UK where you are hard pressed to find local players in the top divisions. That's what money does to the game.
I am proud of Jonah's decision to remain loyal to his adopted country of New Zealand. I believe he can still win a World Cup with the All Blacks if they focus their attacking moves on Jonah's ability to 'break and attract' the defense. The 1995 World Cup was a showcase for Jonah. He delivered with the highest distinction. Unfortunately, in the final against South Africa, he was not given enough opportunities and space to maneuver. The All Blacks lost. The result of the 1999 World Cup is again a carbon copy for the All Blacks, only this time they lost to France in the semi-final. Again, Jonah was denied the opportunity to show his talent. He has to create his own, which resulted in two brilliant tries. If only Jonah received more balls with amble space, the result may have been different. Well, New Zealand should make up its mind regarding Jonah's future with the All Blacks. He may have forfeited a lot of wealth to remain loyal to the All Blacks. He should be still available for the 2003 World Cup. The All Blacks should start to show loyalty to Jonah for a change.
No, The All Blacks and New Zealand could very well spawn new talent without having to rely on Lomu. Matter of fact, they looked very like their whole RWC strategy was based around Lomu which is obviously wrong. The All Blacks have the highest victory rate in world rugby -- 70 percent wins -- and most of those were done prior to Lomu. Lacking Lomu will not reduce it to the levels England is at! That Hart brought Lomu back on, literally, the eve of the RWC after leaving him out a lot during their funny run last year, proves that Hart perhaps is the blunderer here. But overall, Lomu should go on with his life and let the world see the games best player in action in the world's richest league!
Yes, I believe he did. Why? Well, in the modern day and age of pro sports, how many times have we seen a premiere player switch teams for money? Some did it for so called "family reasons," while others did it to get on that "winning team." Well, Mr. Lomu has everything down in New Zealand. As a player/fan of his respective sport and a very distant fan of our "American" sports, I applaud his decision and wished others would stay for the "love of the game" instead of leaving for the "greed of the game."
With so much madness in the money area of professional sports, it is good to see an athlete decide against the lure of instant wealth. Mr. Lomu will earn enough to keep him happy, and with this gesture, he has made himself a respected figure by sports fans throughout the world. We're tired of seeing athletes demand (and receive) salaries that do not in any way represent what they actually do on the fields and in the arenas. The vulgarity of athletes' salaries doesn't settle well with the fan. We don't complain that athletes are paid well, but we do object to their demanding so much more than their talents merit. Mr. Lomu is the best in his sport, and he has now become the most reasonable.
He's only 24 and he's thinking that he will regret leavings the Blacks without the union World Cup championship. I believe his head is in the right place. If he decided to leave he may regret it for the rest of his life. He will be capable of playing in the English system for years.
It is not surprising to see which decision Lomu made. The teams in the Southern Hemisphere have a totally different outlook of sports than we in America do. He plays for pride, the honor of wearing his country's jersey, something we in the U.S. have forgotten. It was good to see that the money was not more important than his teammates, or for that matter, the game. I think he made the right decision.
I personally think Jonah made the right decision. Being a New Zealander I can understand the passion and desire to remain with the All Blacks. To understand this passion you need to be raised and brought up in New Zealand. Only then can you fully understand and appreciate the pride and regard we hold our national rugby team. Rugby is woven in the fabric of New Zealand society and one can only feel so proud when we see the team run out onto the field in their distinctive black shirts, to hear the national anthem and the famous New Zealand haka being performed.
Jonah feels this and these feelings are intrinsic and are hard to escape especially if you have been brought up in New Zealand and have that passion for the silver ferns and All Blacks.
Screw rugby; at 6 ft 5 inches and 260lbs, Jonah needs to come here to America and join the NFL. Any team would sign him with his strength and speed and he would make ten times the money he does playing rubgy even though he has never played American football. The lowest paid players in the NFL make 300 thousand a year, Jonah could make a million a year before he ever puts on pads.
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