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29 March 2024

Dubai and Sevens rugby has grown: Lomu

Jonah Lomu making a presentation after the HSBC exhibition match during the Dubai Rugby Sevens tournament. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Former New Zealand rugby star Jonah Lomu believes the growth of Sevens is also synonymous with the changing face of Dubai.

“Dubai has changed dramatically. I came here when there were all old buildings with old ceiling fans and you could walk out of the airport and you were in the city,” said Lomu who made an impact as a member of the victorious Kiwi Nomads at the Dubai Rugby Sevens tournament in 1994.
“The crowd is huge and you’ve got grass in the middle of nowhere. That tells you exactly where Sevens has gone and what Dubai is all about,” said the former All Black great who was in Dubai as a guest of HSBC the sponsors of the IRB World Sevens Series this season.
He has pleasant memories of the Dubai Sevens when it was played in sand pitches and amazed by The Sevens stadium.
Lomu also feels the growth of women’s rugby was instrumental in the inclusion of Sevens at the Olympics.
“Besides the growth of the game, women’s rugby has grown as well and this together has been the calling card for the sport entering the Olympics from 2016,” he said.
“The growth of women’s rugby needed to grow as well considering the equality factor in sport. But the thing is that the women have shown that they can fit in with the best in the world. They could show a few boys how the game is played as well,” said Lomu who has plans to start his own academy next year.
“No I am not playing at the moment, but my role is much bigger as I am working in the promotion of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. I am building my own academy to be launched next year. My business is actually growing so fast that I am hardly getting any time to put on the rugby boots and play,” said Lomu whose career was cut short by a debilitating kidney disorder.
Lomu who began his career in the New Zealand sevens team before becoming the youngest All Black aged 19 years and 45 days when he made his Test debut against France in 1994, said Sevens was the perfect vehicle for the growth of the game in emerging nations like UAE.
“I think you’ve got to start from grass-roots in order to grow the game here. And then you will go up to a steady good pace. But also the officials need to expose the locals to the game. And the more you can expose them the more you will be able to grow the sport here,” he said.
“We’ve got a great vehicle in sevens where we can play and compete at the highest level. It is just a question now of taking the opportunities and taking things forward,” said Lomu who was the sport’s first global super star.
He burst on the scene at the 1995 World Cup with some of the most destructive performances the rugby world had ever seen famously trampling Mike Catt on his way to scoring one of his four tries against England in the semifinals.
“I am definitely happy with what I have achieved though I am never satisfied,” he said when asked to reflect on his career.
“My ambition is to enjoy life and just keep on doing what I am doing. At the moment I want to see a uniform growth of sevens around the world. And my own academy is definitely a great start where I will have the opportunity of working one on one with the players. I can guarantee that I can make them better. I have a whole load of knowledge and I can help them getting better,” said Lomu who scored 37 tries in his 63 Tests, including eight in the 1999 World Cup. He also helped New Zealand sevens team win gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Asked whether the sport has changed since the time he strode like a colossus, Lomu who is of Tongan origin said the only difference was the gap was closing.
“I don’t think the sport has changed tactically. It is just that the players match each other while playing. Other nations are catching up and the gap is getting smaller and smaller each year. Like for instance, Portugal beating England on Friday. You could see that it is improving and this is a fantastic development for rugby,” he said.
Having undergone a kidney transplant in 2004 which gave a fresh lease of life to his career before hanging up his boots last year, Lomu, 35, remains one of the most recognisable players in the world.
“Making friends all around the world and being one of the fortunate guys who helped change the game and be able to bring the game to places like here in Dubai. It’s just being part of the rugby culture is fantastic,” he said when asked what he enjoyed most during his career.
Looking ahead at next year’s Rugby World Cup which returns to New Zealand, Lomu backs the All Blacks to repeat their triumph of 1987 when they hosted the inaugural event.
“For New Zealand it is either win or lose. We have to win the World Cup,” he said when asked about their chances.
He dismissed suggestions New Zealand were chokers having always gone in as favourites being runners-up to South Africa in 1995 and losing spectacularly to France in the semifinals in 1999 after leading 24-10. After powering through the group matches, they were edged by hosts France 20-18 in the semifinals at the last World Cup in 2007.
“There is no question about choking. We were simply not good enough. That’s it. That’s what happens in rugby. Hopefully this will be sorted out next year,” said Lomu who scored twice in the semifinal against France in 1999.
Asked where the challenge would come from for New Zealand, Lomu said all the teams are a challenge. “Take a look at 2007. All the teams who made it to the next stage they pushed all the big teams. They have to win it against whoever comes across their path,” he said exhorting the All Blacks to complete his World Cup mission.