Wake up NZ - Jonah can still wow them

One of my great joys from covering the just-completed All Blacks tour had nothing to do with the Grand Slam. It was a retro moment but it wasn't Munster.

As much admiration I gave to those two magical ingredients of what was truly a special six weeks on the road with Graham Henry's squad, one of my strongest memories will be a few minutes I spent with Jonah Lomu in London.

It was a humbling time to be chatting to someone who truly is a giant of the game and who despite his struggles off the field has maintained a true love of rugby and so much dignity to go with it.

Like many, I've often wondered how great Jonah could really have been without the handicap of his medical conditions.

To have achieved so much while carrying those burdens is truly remarkable.

Jonah isn't one to dwell on negatives. He would be one of the most positive people you could hope to meet and he is just thankful that he is fit and healthy and still part of the scene, albeit not running around terrorising opposition defences an more.

But as much as we treasure him as one of our greatest All Blacks and a talent of freakish proportions, it's fair to say that Jonah remains even bigger in the north.

There has always been a special fascination with him up there. It came with the way the 1995 All Blacks created their own Grand Slam at the World Cup in South Africa when they demolished the Home Unions on their way to making the final.

That was capped, of course, with his stunning semifinal display effort against England, which might well rate as the single best individual effort by an All Black.

So I'm pleased to report that Jonah seems pretty happy with his lot right now. And I was even more happy to report that he is being handsomely looked after by his loyal mates at adidas who have put him on pretty much what will be a lifelong deal.

By all accounts Jonah is still a massive drawpower for them and I witnessed that on several occasions as the adidas roadshow swung through some of the touring destinations.

It's fair to say that at some of the stops Lomu was bigger than the current All Blacks themselves.

He has transcended generations as well. Kids who never saw him play still want to say hello and get his autograph. That is the measure of a true legend.

It looks like Jonah might about to be spending more of his time up north which is sensible. That's where his biggest market remains and it's one that he deserves the chance to tap into.

I take my hat off to adidas for their support of the big fella. Yes there after obvious commercial reasons for that. But the underlying factor remains that Jonah delivers for them in his quiet unassuming way which is the secret to him - he has always been a gentle giant.

And I can't help feeling that we have let Jonah down here a little bit in New Zealand. He is an under-utilised talent, a great player with a common touch and an ability to still relate to players and fans of all ages.

Adidas have been happy to induct him into their Hall of Fame and give him a rugby ambassador role that seems to do so much for the game.

Why can't we do something similar?

There's a certain tournament looming in the not too distant future. And although Jonah Lomu never managed to actually win a World Cup he remains on of it's biggest stars.

Isn't it about time we gave him a bit of work to do in ou own nick of the woods?

Has New Zealand really done all they can to recognise Jonah Lomu? Would you like to see a World Cup role for him here in 2011?

- © Fairfax NZ News