Jonah Lomu: video of the New Zealand legend's greatest tries

Lomu passed away at the age of 40 at his home in Auckland

Jonah Lomu crosses the line against England at the 1995 Rugby World Cup (Getty Images)

New Zealand rugby union great Jonah Lomu, rugby union's first global superstar, has died at the age of 40.

Former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew said Lomu, who had a kidney transplant in 2004, had died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning in Auckland.

Lomu played 63 tests on the wing for New Zealand, scoring 37 international tries.

A tweet from New Zealand Rugby chief Steve Tew read: "We're all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah Lomu."

Tew's tweet continued: "We're lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah's family.

WATCH: LOMU'S GREATEST TRIES

"Jonah was a legend of our game and loved by his many fans both here and around the world."

Lomu, who made his All Blacks debut in 1994, made a significant impact at the 1995 World Cup.

He played for several domestic teams - Auckland Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes in Super Rugby, as well as North Harbour, Counties Manukau and Wellington.

Lomu also had a stint with Cardiff Blues, for whom he played 10 matches for from 2005-06, before retiring from the game in 2007.

He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007 and the IRB Hall of Fame four years later.