Former PNG Rugby international Paul Joseph has described the late Jonah Lomu as a very humble person and a loss to the international rugby community.
He said this in an interview during the tribute organized by the PNG Rugby Union and the New Zealand High Commissioner.
Although he never faced Lomu on the field, Joseph said he was privileged to have watched the man in action during his prime.
Joseph recalls how the PNG Pukpuks were grouped in the same pool and set to clash with the All Blacks, which included Lomu, during the 1998 Kuala Lumpar games Sevens tournament.
However, the absence of the Namibian Sevens team to the Games forced a reshuffle and PNG and New Zealand never faced off.
New Zealand eventually went on to beat Fiji in the Cup Final 21-12, and Lomu was the man of the match.
Joseph and his team mates were fortunate to meet Lomu around the Games living quarters and said the great man was very humble in his approach.
In his illustrious career Paul Joseph has watched great players like Lomu in action and has played against others like the Seven’s King Waisale Serevi.
Joseph, a talented player himself, debuted for PNG against Fiji during the 1995 Honk Kong Sevens and also played in various tournaments such as the Arafura Games where PNG won Gold.
He also went on to play for New Zealand Club, Kahukura Rugby, for three years and played for the famous Wasps Provincial side from Rotorua, against New Zealand Maori in 2000.
He retired from the game in the late 2000’s and has now taken on coaching and technical roles with PNG Rugby Union.
Joseph is currently the Competition Manager of Capital Rugby Union in Port Moresby and also coaches junior division’s with Club University Piggies.