Jonah Lomu

In 2008, a company owned by Lomu purchased a Wellington apartment from his future father-in-law Mervyn Quirk for approximately NZ$1.5 million. Years later, its rateable value was below NZ$800,000, raising questions about Lomu's financial losses and family business dealings.

State of the evidence

transaction, price and subsequent property valuations documented

Legal status — source text

no fraud or illegality by Lomu established

Attribution

personal responsibility through his company Stylez Ltd; intention or exploitation not proven

After Jonah Lomu's death, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association revealed that his family could not rely on a substantial estate or sustained income and established a fund for his two sons. The revelation was surprising given his status as rugby's first global superstar.

State of the evidence

Players Association testimony, financial position and creation of a trust documented

Legal status — source text

no personal judicial proceedings; no fraud established

Attribution

posthumous personal financial situation; multiple factors including illness, generosity, divorces and business ventures

In 2008, Jonah Lomu's relationship with Nadene Quirk became public while Lomu was still married to Fiona and Quirk had recently separated from player Jarek Goebel after ten months of marriage. Goebel publicly accused Lomu of having "stolen" his wife.

State of the evidence

relationships and separations publicly reported

Legal status — source text

no judicial proceedings against Lomu relating to the relationship

Attribution

personal responsibility for the reported extramarital relationship

While Lomu was undergoing dialysis, his manager Phil Kingsley-Jones rejected the NZRU's contract extension offer and accused the union of having "dumped" him with an insulting proposal, sparking controversy over its treatment of a seriously ill superstar.

State of the evidence

rejected contract offer and statements from both parties documented

Legal status — source text

no judicial proceedings identified

Attribution

Lomu and his manager were parties to the contractual dispute; no wrongdoing by Lomu

Global 11 Travel Limited, a company in which Jonah Lomu was reported to be a director and shareholder, faced a liquidation petition in late 1998; the Official Assignee was appointed liquidator in March 1999. This failure was subsequently cited among his unsuccessful business ventures.

State of the evidence

liquidation petition and appointment of a liquidator documented; Lomu's link as director/shareholder reported in biographical sources

Legal status — source text

company liquidation; no personal fraud by Lomu identified

Attribution

commercial responsibility as director/shareholder, without attributing fraudulent misconduct