ちょっとやそっとのことでは泣かないという人にも約束したい。この動画は鳥肌がたつほど感動する。
これは11月18日に40才で亡くなったニュージーランドのラグビー選手、ジョナ・ロムーの追悼式の一場面だ。かつてのチームメートや友人が、ニュージーランドの先住民、マオリ族の民族舞踊ハカを踊った。
ニュージーランドは世界一のラグビー大国で、ジョナ・ロムーはラグビーの世界的スーパースターだった。
代表チーム「オールブラックス」は2015年のワールドカップで史上最多3度目の優勝を手にしている。しかしロムーがワールドカップで優勝を味わうことは1度もなかった。
最も優勝に近づいたのは1995年南アフリカ大会だ。決勝戦でオールブラックスは南アフリカに負け、惜しくも優勝を逃した。この時の南アフリカチームの優勝は、後に「インビクタス / 負けざる者たち」というタイトルで映画化され、主役のネルソン・マンデラ元大統領をモーガン・フリーマンが演じた。
マンデラ元大統領のもと、アパルトヘイトを乗り越えた南アフリカチームの優勝は感動的だった。しかしフィールドで圧倒的な存在感を見せたのはロムーだった。
誰もロムーのような荒々しいウィングを見たことがなかった。それまでウィングの選手はディフェンダーを避けて進むものだったが、彼はディフェンダーを押し退けて進んだ。YouTube動画にその時の様子が映っている。
ロムーの死因は、ネフローゼ症候群という腎臓疾患による合併症だと伝えられている。彼は20年に渡ってこの病気と戦ってきた。オールブラックスの元コーチ・ジョン・ハートは、病気のせいでロムーは能力の80%しか発揮できなかったと追悼式のスピーチで述べた。100%の力を発揮したらどんなプレーをしたか、考えるだけで恐ろしい。
追悼式の最後には、ロムーの妻と2人の息子が空にハトを放った。これも感動的な場面だった。ロムーを知る人たちによれば、彼は「多くを望まない謙虚な男」だったそうだ。
12月1日、オークランド郊外の街の教会で密葬が営まれた。
この記事はハフポストオーストラリア版に掲載されたものを翻訳しました。
【ラグビーW杯】日本が南アに勝利
South Africa v Japan - Group B: Rugby World Cup 2015(01 of25)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Japan players celebrate their surprise win during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at Brighton Community Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Steve Bardens - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images) (credit:Steve Bardens - World Rugby via Getty Images)
RUGBYU-WC-2015-RSA-JPN-MATCH4(02 of25)
Japan\'s prop Kensuke Hatakeyama (L) embraces Japan\'s scrum half Atsushi Hiwasa (R) after winning the Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton community stadium in Brighton, south east England on September 19, 2015. Japan won 34-32. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS\n\nRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(03 of25)
Japan teammates celebrates with the crowd after defeating South Africa 32-34 in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
South Africa v Japan - Group B: Rugby World Cup 2015(04 of25)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Japan players celebrate their surprise victory in the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at Brighton Community Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Steve Bardens - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images) (credit:Steve Bardens - World Rugby via Getty Images)
South Africa v Japan - Group B: Rugby World Cup 2015(05 of25)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Japan players celebrate after the win over South Africa during the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at Brighton Community Centre on September 19, 2015 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (credit:Gallo Images via Getty Images)
RUGBYU-WC-2015-RSA-JPN-MATCH4(06 of25)
Japan\'s prop Kensuke Hatakeyama celebrates victory at the end of the Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton community stadium in Brighton, south east England on September 19, 2015. Japan won 34-32. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS\n\nRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(07 of25)
Japan players celebrate defeating South Africa 32-34 in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
RUGBYU-WC-2015-RSA-JPN-MATCH4(08 of25)
Japan\'s Amanaki Mafi (L) and Japan\'s Hiroshi Yamashita (R) react after their victory at the end of the Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton community stadium in Brighton, south east England on September 19, 2015. Japan won 34-32. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS\n\nRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
RUGBYU-WC-2015-RSA-JPN-MATCH4(09 of25)
Japan\'s prop Kensuke Hatakeyama (CL) embraces Japan\'s scrum half Atsushi Hiwasa (CR) after winning the Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton community stadium in Brighton, south east England on September 19, 2015. Japan won 34-32. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS\n\nRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
RUGBYU-WC-2015-RSA-JPN-MATCH4(10 of25)
Japan\'s players celebrate winning the Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton community stadium in Brighton, south east England on September 19, 2015. Japan won 34-32. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS\n\nRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(11 of25)
Japan fans celebrate the 32-34 win against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
France v Italy - Group D: Rugby World Cup 2015(12 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: A fan reacts to the Japan victory over South Africa before watching the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between France and Italy at Twickenham Stadium on September 19, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) (credit:David Rogers via Getty Images)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(13 of25)
Japan fans celebrate the 32-34 win against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
South Africa v Japan - Group B: Rugby World Cup 2015(14 of25)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: (L to R) Keita Inagaki, Hiroshi Yamashita and Karne Hesketh of Japan celebrate in the dressing room during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at Brighton Community Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Steve Bardens - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images) (credit:Steve Bardens - World Rugby via Getty Images)
South Africa v Japan - Group B: Rugby World Cup 2015(15 of25)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Hiroshi Yamashita (C) and Karne Hesketh (R) of Japan celebrate their victory in the dressing room following the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at Brighton Community Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Steve Bardens - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images) (credit:Steve Bardens - World Rugby via Getty Images)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(16 of25)
Japan\'s Fumiaki Tanaka passes the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(17 of25)
South Africa\'s Lodewyk De Jager is tackled by Japan\'s Masataka Mikami, left, and Luke Thompson during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(18 of25)
Japan players celebrate defeating South Africa 32-34 in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(19 of25)
Japan celebrate a try from Ayumu Goromaru during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(20 of25)
Japan\'s Karne Hesketh, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Rugby WCup South Africa Japan(21 of25)
South Africa\'s Bismarck Du Plessis is tackled by Japan\'s Harumichi Tatekawa during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
APTOPIX Britain Rugby WCup(22 of25)
South Africa\'s Handre Pollard makes a break during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
RUGBYU-WC-2015-RSA-JPN-MATCH4(23 of25)
Japan\'s players celebrate winning the Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton community stadium in Brighton, south east England on September 19, 2015. Japan won 34-32. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS\n\nRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
APTOPIX Britain Rugby WCup(24 of25)
Japan\'s Kensuke Hatakeyama celebrates victory in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
RUGBYU-WC-2015-RSA-JPN-MATCH4(25 of25)
Japan\'s wing Kotaro Matsushima (R) congratulates try-scorer Japan\'s wing Karne Hesketh (C) at the end of the Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton community stadium in Brighton, south east England on September 19, 2015. Japan won 34-32. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS\n\nRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
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