Lomu my big hero – Habana

Record-equalling Bok tells how New Zealand great inspired him

[caption id="attachment_104428" align="alignright" width="259"] WELL DONE, MATE: Morne Steyn congratulates Bryan Habana after he scored a try during the World Cup match against USA. PICTURE: REUTERS[/caption]

SPRINGBOK wing Bryan Habana played down comparisons to Jonah Lomu after the South African drew level with the former All Black great on 15 World Cup tries. Habana, 32, playing in his 114th test for the Springboks, scored a hat-trick in the space of 19 minutes after half time against the USA to draw level with Lomu as the Boks won 64-0.

Habana also joined former Wallaby try-scoring ace David Campese on 64 test tries, the most by players from tier-one nations.

It was the third time Johannesburg-born Habana had scored a test hat-trick after his four against Samoa at the 2007 World Cup and three against Australia in Pretoria in 2012.

He took 15 rugby World Cup appearances to draw level with Lomu, who scored his 15 tries in 11 appearances at the tournament.

Australia’s Drew Mitchell, who is also at the current World Cup, has 12 tries in nine matches.

“It’s humbling to be mentioned with Jonah, but I don’t think I can ever be compared to him,” Habana said.

“I said it in 2007 as well [when Habana scored eight tries to match the record for a single tournament], Jonah changed the face of rugby.

“He was a class act. He scored his tries in two tournaments. I’m playing in my third and he became the first rugby global superstar.

“I have an unbelievable amount of respect for him.

“While personal milestones are great, and I’ve scored a lot of tries for my country, it always comes down to doing what’s best for the team and to make a contribution.

“That to me is more satisfying than records.”

“At that World Cup, I saw Jonah Lomu destroy England in the semifinal. My brother and I went to the All Black hotel and we followed Jonah into a bathroom and got his signature.” -Craig Ray