Honouring late All Black wing Jonah Lomu's Rugby World Cup legend

Jonah Lomu's massive Rugby World Cup influence has been remembered as the current tournament in Japan steps up a gear.

The late All Blacks great is a World Cup icon, the dominant figure from his two appearances in 1995 and 1999 where he scored what remains a record haul of 15 tries.

Lomu, who battled major kidney problems, passed away at the age of 40 soon after returning from the 2015 tournament in England where he had been heavily involved in promotional work.

In a tribute piece, broadcasting giant CNN detailed the Lomu legend and his impact as a giant wing with rare speed and movement for his size.

French great playmaker Frederic Michalak told CNN that Lomu was a game-changer.

"He was probably the first player with this type of physicality, speed and power. Rugby is what it is now because of him – his talent was recognised by everyone," Michalak said.

Current England No 8 Billy Vunipola backed that up: "I've been in taxis before with people from the Middle East who I don't think know anything about rugby.

"They tell me they don't know anything about rugby, but they know about Jonah Lomu. That is testament to him and his name. He was truly the first global superstar rugby ever had, or probably ever will have.

"To have that legacy is an amazing thing. I'm proud he's a Tongan guy, I'm proud I can say, 'Yeah, his genes are Tongan, I'm Tongan too'."