New Zealand All Blacks rugby legend Jonah Lomu dies at 40 after a long battle with kidney disease

New Zealand All Blacks star Jonah Lomu has died aged 40 in Auckland, New Zealand

The rugby union great battled a rare kidney disorder called Nephrotic syndrome

Jonah Lomu received a transplant in 2004 but his body rejected it in 2011 leaving him relying on dialysis

'We're all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah Lomu,' Tew said.

'We're lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah's family. Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world.' 

Jonah Lomu arrived back in Auckland on Tuesday night from England - where he had been working at the Rugby World Cup - and had spent a few days in Dubai on the way home with his family.

 

On Wednesday afternoon his wife Nadene Lomu issued a statement describing the family's 'devastating loss'

Lomu is also survived by his sons Brayley, six, and Dhyreille, five  

Lomu passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of Wednesday Nov 18,2015, NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew confirmed.

WHAT IS NEPHROTIC SYNDROME?

Nephrotic Sydnrome is a condition of the kidneys which causes a loss of protein. 

This leads to a decrease of protein in the blood as too much escapes through urination.

Someone with the condition can lose up to 25 times more protein through urination in a 24-hour period than someone without it.

Symptoms include fatigue, fluid retention or swelling, stomach pain, dizziness and a range of other ailments.

 It can lead to blood clots, infections and kidney failure.

Treatments include medications, change in diet, or in more extreme cases like Jonah Lumo's, kidney transplants.