WELLINGTON. — All Black Jonah Lomu may have been one of the biggest names in rugby union, but he was nearly broke when he died, organisers of a trust set up to support his young sons said yesterday. Lomu’s sudden death last month at the age of 40, following a years-long battle with a rare kidney disorder, brought outpourings of sympathy from around the world, not only from sports personalities, but also heads of state and Hollywood stars.

But it has emerged the commercially in-demand personality had few financial assets.

In response, New Zealand Rugby Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol said the Jonah Lomu Legacy Trust had been established by businesspeople and friends of the hulking winger to support his children Dhyreille (6) and Brayley (5).

Nichol told Radio NewstalkZB that Lomu’s wealth from a stellar career did not match people’s expectations and he may have been a victim of his own generosity where he often helped others at the expense of his own family.

“The estate has to go through a probate period, but we don’t see any financial benefit or proceeds going to his family,” Nichol said.

“The impression that he was a global superstar doing all this stuff, I think over time, frankly, it probably wasn’t as substantial as people just assumed.

“Yet he had this sense of pride that he wanted to maintain that front that he could help everyone, he could help his family and help his community, anyone who came knocking and wanted assistance. He’s clearly taken on obligations, financial or otherwise, on behalf of others and that has definitely been at the expense of his family.”

Close friend and fellow All Black Josh Kronfeld told the New Zealand Herald players of Lomu’s era did not get paid big bucks.

“People read what Richie McCaw and Dan Carter make playing for the All Blacks and assume those figures are what Jonah was on from the mid-1990s on but that’s just not right,” he said.

“That sort of money wasn’t around for any players in our era, including Jonah.” — AFP.

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