Former New Zealand rugby union captain Sean Fitzpatrick says every aspiring player wanted to be Jonah Lomu.

The former winger, who passed away suddenly last night at the age of 40, is considered to be one of the all-time sporting greats.

Fitzpatrick was the All Blacks captain during Lomu's stunning breakthrough at the 1995 World Cup, when New Zealand reached the final.

He told Sky Sports News that Lomu offered the team more than just his performances on the pitch

"Ninety-nine per cent of the world know him as a rugby player and a phenomenal rugby player. But he was such a nice person also off the field which is really important. We have a saying in the All-Blacks: Good people make great teams and great All-Blacks. He was one of the greats."

Fitzpatrick recently spoke to Off The Ball about the 1995 World Cup and Lomu's role in the All-Blacks reaching the final: