Serevi's tribute to Jonah: “He smashed everybody including me” [1]
Monday, April 11, 2016 - 18:20. Updated on Thursday, April 14, 2016 - 14:57.
Rugby Sevens legend and former Fijian International, Waisale Serevi gave a moving tribute in honour of Jonah Lomu at a memorial event held in Hong Kong last Saturday April 9.
The memorial event was held as part of the Cathy Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens tournament to honour Jonah Lomu and former Hong Kong Sevens manager Beth Coalter, both of whom passed away last year.
Serevi said in his tribute, “I remember Jonah Lomu in 1994 when he came to my room with Luke Erenavula. Luke said 'Jonah wants to see you' and I said 'yeah'. He was so nervous and not talking a lot like normal islanders when we meet – I told him, 'Jonah, I just want to wish you well. Make sure you make the most of it in this tournament'. In the next two days he smashed everybody, including me.”
"For Hong Kong to remember him this weekend with Beth is really good. They remember a rugby player who started in Hong Kong. Because of the Hong Kong sevens they made their names. The Hong Kong Sevens is the fastest way to a national team. The whole rugby world watches you. That is why we salute the Hong Kong sevens and salute Jonah Lomu for what he has done."