Move over, New Zealand \u2013 Jonah Lomu\u2019s son, Dhyreille Jonah Lomu, has set his sights on playing for France! <\/p>\n
Born in France during Jonah\u2019s time with Marseille, Dhyreille is dreaming of representing Les Bleus rather than the All Blacks. Eligibility? No problem!<\/p>\n
Bonjour \u2018Frenchie\u2019! Lomu\u2019s Son Making Waves in Kiwi Rugby<\/p>\n
Nicknamed \u201cFrenchie\u201d at school, Dhyreille has already turned heads in New Zealand\u2019s age-grade tournaments. Could he be the next big thing, following in his dad\u2019s giant footsteps?<\/p>\n
A Legacy Reborn on the Wing<\/p>\n
Jonah Lomu, the original rugby superstar, notched up 63 caps and a whopping 37 tries for New Zealand, reshaping the sport forever. Dhyreille\u2019s dream is lofty \u2013 but not in rugby alone!<\/p>\n
Lomu 2.0: Rugby Meets Tennis in the Lomu Household<\/p>\n
Dhyreille and his brother Brayley aren\u2019t just rugby fanatics \u2013 they\u2019re passionate tennis players too! The brothers have big dreams, with Brayley aspiring to be the world\u2019s best tennis player. \u201cTo be number one, you always have to try your best,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Why Rugby? \u2018Dad Was The Best!\u2019<\/p>\n
With big shoes to fill, Dhyreille\u2019s considering his path carefully: \u201cDad will always be the best, so I might give something else a go.\u201d Could tennis become the new family legacy?<\/p>\n
Jonah Lomu Facts:<\/p>\n
He weighed 120\u00a0kg and was 1.96 metres tall, but could run 100 metres in 10.8 seconds<\/p>\n
In 1996,\u00a0McDonald\u2019s\u00a0New Zealand named a burger after Lomu<\/p>\n
He\u2019s the only rugby player ever to feature on the front cover of TIME magazine<\/p>\n
According to the Telegraph, Leeds\u00a0were ready to make a third bid to\u00a0attract All Blacks giant Jonah Lomu to England in 2001<\/a><\/p>\n He played 63 tests as an All Black, scoring 37 tries<\/p>\n In 2001 he helped New Zealand win the Rugby World Cup Sevens.<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n Updated 2027 Rugby World Cup draw, England get easy group<\/p>\n he tournament\u2019s structure and timing now better reflect current global rankings, thanks to a late pool draw in December this year made possible by reforms in 2022.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a breakdown of the\u00a0predicted groups\u00a0and\u00a0team bios\u00a0for the RWC 2027:<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc6\u00a0Group A<\/p>\n South Africa\u00a0\ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 Argentina\u00a0\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf7 Samoa\u00a0\ud83c\uddfc\ud83c\uddf8 Tonga\u00a0\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf4 \ud83c\udf0d\u00a0Group B<\/p>\n New Zealand\u00a0\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddff Scotland\u00a0\ud83c\udff4 Japan\u00a0\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 Chile\u00a0\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf1 CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
The reigning world champions and four-time RWC winners, the Springboks bring a powerhouse blend of physicality, tactical brilliance, and iconic leadership.<\/p>\n
Los Pumas continue to rise as a Tier 1 nation, combining flair and fearlessness. Semifinalists in 2007 and 2015, they\u2019re known for big-game upsets.<\/p>\n
With deep roots in rugby tradition, Samoa\u2019s raw physicality and natural flair make them one of the most dangerous Tier 2 teams in the game.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Ikale Tahi\u2019 bring bone-crunching tackles and island pride. With several stars playing abroad, Tonga is always capable of springing a surprise.<\/p>\n
The legendary All Blacks need no introduction\u2014three-time world champions with a relentless pursuit of perfection and a legacy of innovation.<\/p>\n
A Six Nations stalwart, Scotland blends tactical kicking and dynamic playmakers, looking to go beyond the quarterfinals for the first time since 1991.<\/p>\n
The Brave Blossoms became global darlings in 2019 with a stunning quarterfinal run. Expect lightning-quick rucks and passionate homegrown talent.<\/p>\n
One of the emerging forces from South America, Chile made its first RWC appearance in 2023. Physical, proud, and improving fast.<\/p>\n