Jonah Lomu Rugby

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Jonah Lomu Rugby
Developer(s)	Codemasters
Publisher(s)	Rage Software
Platform(s)	PC, PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Release date	March 31, 1997
Genre(s)	Rugby union
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer

Jonah Lomu Rugby is a computer and video game released in 1997. It was developed by Codemasters and published by Rage Software. It was released on the PC, PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Its title is a reference to noted All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu.

1 Overview
2 Game Modes
3 Unlockables
4 Teams Included in the Game
- 4.1 Other options
5 New Zealand All Blacks Featured in the Game
- 5.1 Other Noteable Players
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Overview

The game supports one to four players. There are a number of playable modes - including knock-out, World Cup, regional competitions as well as historical matches.

Jonah Lomu Rugby was the first rugby union game released on the PlayStation platform. At the time of its release, the game received relatively high praise. It was particularly praised for its smoothness of gameplay and the quality of graphics at the time.^[1]

[edit] Game Modes

Friendly Match

Tournament

World Cup

Territories Cup
American Cup
Asian Cup
Five Nations
Pacific Cup
Tri Nations
*Special Cup
*Extra Cup

Classic Match

(*= Unlockables)

[edit] Unlockables

Playing through and completing all the various territories cups unlocks the "Special Cup", a tournament between the World XV, the Barbarians and the British Lions.

Upon completing and winning the special cup, the "Extra Cup" is unlocked. This extra tournament contains 3 teams these are...
Team Lomu: where every player is Jonah Lomu, the best in the game who can break almost every tackle
Rage All-Stars: containing Mather, the smallest and by far the fastest player in the game, McCabe, the player who can kick far further than anyone else in the game, and T Williams, an extremely large fullback who is about the only player who can stop Lomu 1-on-1 during a correctly timed hand-off
Codemasters: a very average team in skill compared to the other two teams in this tournament

The Classic Match mode begins with 4 available classic matches, upon completing these you progressively unlock all the available scenarios. They get harder in difficulty, and the final one requires you to come back from a 21 point deficit against New Zealand, with Japan!!!
the matches available are... (controlled team in bold)
New Zealand vs South Africa, 9-9, beginning of extra time, 1995
Wales vs Ireland, 16-21, 6 mins remaining 2nd half, 1995
Australia vs Ireland, 20-23, 47 secs remaining 2nd half, 1991
England vs Australia, 19-22, 6 mins remaining 2nd half, 1995
South Africa vs France, 19-15, 4 mins remaining 2nd half, 1995
England vs Australia, 6-12, 10 mins remaining 2nd half, 1991
France vs New Zealand, first kickoff, 1987
Japan vs New Zealand, 3-24, 2nd half kickoff, 1995

[edit] Teams Included in the Game

All teams in the game are made up of their respective players from the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa

the teams are:
Argentina
Australia
Canada
Chinese Taipei
England
Figi
France
Germany
HongKong
Ireland
Italy
Ivory Coast
Japan
Malaysia
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Portugal
Romania
Scotland
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Tonga
USA
Wales
Western Samoa
Zimbabwe

Unlockable Teams:
World XV
Barbarians
British Lions
Codemasters
Rage All-Stars
Team Lomu

[edit] Other options

The bump off is a hidden feature of the game that when used properly can be the difference between being 2nd and 1st. By holding R2, and pushing square while falling in a tackle can result in the player in possession regaining his feet and continue running. Another important skill is the art of "popping" the ball out of a tackle. By holding the pass button on impact in the tackle and then releasing the button as you hit the ground you "offload in the tackle" to a supporting player. The drawback with the tactic is that the player in possession of the ball is more vulnerable to drop the ball if hit hard in the tackle. Also "handing-off" is very important and will inevitably break ground, particularly when using more powerful forwards against smaller backs. The "hand-off" is achieved by pressing both L buttons at the same time or both R buttons at the same time (each "handing-off" in their respective directions) when a tackler dives to tackle you. It is also worth noting that the sidestep or "jink" can be used to great effect to make a break, especially to get past the outhalf in the centre, whereby you can make good yardage up the middle before the fullback comes to tackle you. The "jink" is achieved by pressing the L1 and R1 buttons together. A "garryowen" aka "up 'n' under" is a very high up and under kick (named after the rugby club) designed to put the opposing team under pressure, by allowing the kicking team time to arrive under and compete for the high ball. This tactic is very useful for breaking a particularly solid defence. This kick is achieved by pressing backwards on the directional button and kicking the ball. The more you hold it the higher the kick goes. This takes a bit of practice. Note that if a garryowen is falling over the oppositions try area, the attacking team will always win the catch as long as there is somebody under it. This is a tricky but fool proof way to score.