TRIBUTES have poured in following the shock death of All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu prompting memories of when he turned out for Ebbw Vale in a charity match in 1996.

Lomu, who won 63 caps for New Zealand, had suffered from health problems since his retirement from the international game in 2002 due to a rare kidney disease.

The star was diagnosed with the serious kidney condition nephrotic syndrome in 1996 and underwent a kidney transplant in 2004. After it failed in 2011, he became reliant on dialysis.

The winger, who burst on to the international scene with his unstoppable runs at the 1995 World Cup, was rugby union’s first global professional superstar.

Unsurprisingly, crowds flocked to Eugene Cross Park to catch a glimpse of Lomu when he took part in a charity game to raise money for St John Ambulance and Children In Need in on December 5, 1996.

The match had been organised by current Newport Gwent Dragons’ head coach, Kingsley Jones, who is the son of Lomu’s agent, Phil Kingsley Jones, and was playing for Ebbw Vale at the time.

Amid increased crowds and tightened security, Ebbw Vale barely had an 11 shirt big enough to fit Lomu’s towering 6ft 5in frame and 18 stone build.

There were 20 tries in in total, but it wasn’t until the 76th minute that the fearsome All Black crossed the line and then impressively kicked over the conversion.

Lomu’s Ebbw Vale ultimately lost the match 59-65, but the occasion left an impression on him and he even sent a good luck telegram to the club ahead of their SWALEC cup final against Llanelli in 2001.

Speaking after the game, he said: “I was amazed at the crowd out there and Ebbw Vale have got a great bunch of players.

“The Welsh people have been very welcoming. It’s home away from home.”

Duncan Bell, 41, the former Newport Gwent Dragons prop who won five caps for England, played alongside Lomu for Ebbw Vale that night.

Reflecting on that famous occasion, he told the Argus: “I remember just looking at him. The image I have of him in my head is just him speaking to a few of the guys and making them feel at home.

“He was quicker running over the top of people than me trying to run at full speed. We are the same age and that’s why his death has hit me so hard.”

Bruce Robertson, 57, from Caldicot, who met Lomu after the match, said: “He was a nice guy. I was struck by the actual size of him and how big he was.”

Paying tribute, the chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, Gareth Davies, said: “He was a great player and a humble and courteous human being who remained a wonderful ambassador for our sport throughout his life.”