Jonah Lomu
When a re-born Jonah Lomu ran out on to the hallowed rugby pitch at Twickenham in June 2005, two years after being knocked down by chronic kidney disease, it was the first step in an inconceivable dream.
Before an emotionally-charged crowd of 42,000, Lomu led his invitational side into a match against former England captain Martin Johnson's XV. It was farewell to Johnson, but welcome back to Lomu, who had undergone a kidney transplant less than a year before.
Lomu's dream - to again represent the country he loves, New Zealand, and don the All Black jersey once more - took a monumental step forward.
The 30-year-old has had many offers during his rugby career to pack up and play rugby overseas, but he has never been drawn away from New Zealand.
'I love the quality of life New Zealand offers - we're big enough to have the variety that most large cities around the world offer, but we're also small enough to not be 'overdone',' he says. 'I love it that with four million people you still get your own space.'
Lomu and his wife, Fiona, one of his greatest supporters, live in Auckland, where their home on the waterfront commands a stunning panorama of the city. It is no wonder Lomu describes his favourite holiday spot as 'home'.
'It's the only real place that I can kick back, relax and take time out from things,' he says.
'We have great views from our place. We look out on Auckland City and the Sky Tower, which looks amazing at night. We also look out over the Waitemata Harbour and North Head.'
Mr and Mrs Lomu were married on Waiheke Island, one of Auckland's jewels, a haven in the sparkling Hauraki Gulf. The couple say the island - with its white-sand beaches, native forest, celebrated vineyards, olive groves and eclectic arts scene - holds a special place in their hearts.
'[Our wedding] was a very special day for us, one I'll never forget. I've always liked Waiheke but now it has real meaning for me,' Lomu says.
'I love that it's relaxed and laid back but you still have everything you need at your fingertips. We don't get over there as often as we'd like but it's always a place we love to visit if we have the time.'
The ferry ride to Waiheke Island only takes 35 minutes, and many of the island's permanent population of 7000 make the trip across to Auckland every day.
The Lomus were married at Delamore Lodge, a luxury lodge moulded into the hillside at Owhanake Bay. The architecture of the four-suite lodge, which boasts a cave-like Jacuzzi, waterfall and sauna, a library and a wine cellar, was inspired by the Mediterranean and the image of a Maori bone fishhook (or matau).
'We chose Delamore because of the privacy they could give us on our wedding day. It is a beautiful lodge in a gorgeous setting,' Lomu says.
Lomu grew up in Auckland, but rugby took him to the capital city Wellington for many years. He still has an emotional bond with the city.
'I love the people in Wellington, they're so friendly. It's a great place - the combination of a close-knit community feel and the variety that a big city has to offer makes it special,' he says.
He still has a few favourite spots there - notably restaurants: 'I love Pasta Pasta and there's a great Italian restaurant on Courtney Place called Nicolini's.'
Food is a favourite subject for the bullocking winger, who admits he can't go past a traditional Kiwi dinner - lamb roast, roast kumara (sweet potato), pumpkin, potato and 'all the trimmings'.
And, he says, he has a soft spot for fish, in particular the flounder at Mikano Restaurant, one of Auckland's premier restaurants, which stands on a helipad on the edge of the Waitemata Harbour.
So what does Lomu miss most when he is playing rugby overseas, far away from home?
'My dog Jack, and I've gotta say the fresh seafood, like only you can get in New Zealand.'
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