ROBBIE Hunter-Paul has hailed New Zealand rugby great Jonah Lomu as “the first global rugby superstar” following his death at the age of 40.

Lomu, who scored 37 tries in 63 matches for New Zealand between 1994 and 2002, had been diagnosed with a rare and serious kidney condition by 1996.

It forced the hulking winger to quit the game and he had a kidney transplant in 2004, but the organ stopped functioning in 2011.

Fellow Kiwi Hunter-Paul said: “Jonah Lomu became the first global rugby superstar after the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, when rugby union turned professional.

“He burst onto the scene and became very highly revered in New Zealand.

“But I actually think his profile was bigger in England because of that try he scored when he ran over the top of Tony Underwood and Mike Catt.

“He steamrollered them but he scored four tries that day and did the business throughout the whole tournament.

“He revolutionised the game of rugby union to show that big loose forwards and flankers could actually play in a multiple of positions.

“I think his influence had an impact on the game has developed with that powerplay.”

Bulls chief executive Hunter-Paul is a year younger than Lomu and added: “To think about not being able to provide for my family brings a tear to my eye.

“Jonah Lomu’s death is an incredibly sad loss and I can only pay tribute to his memory and what achieved during his life.”