Jonah Lomu Rugby

Infobox VG
title = Jonah Lomu Rugby


developer = Codemasters
publisher = Rage Software
distributor =
designer =
engine =
version =
released = March 31, 1997
genre = Rugby union
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings =
platforms = PC, PlayStation, Sega Saturn
requirements =
input =
preceded by =
followed by =

"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.

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.cite web | title=Memory Lane Volume 1 - Year Zero for Rugby Games | publisher=GameSpot | url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/sports/jonahlomurugby/player_review.html?id=270137 | accessdate=30 April | accessyear=2006]

Commentary

Much like another sports title published around the same time, Brian Lara Cricket 99, the commentary is of great note amongst certain gaming circles. Supplied by ex-television broadcasters Bill Beaumont and Bill McLaren, the commentary includes oft-hilarious and memorable lines, such as "Oh! Mercy me! What a tackle! That could've put him in Ward 4!", followed by "I hope not Bill, that's a maternity ward!" The two commentators were seen to have a great level of banter with one another, adding to the flow and realism of the game. "Some of the fans not happy with that" might have been a comment heard frequently during gameplay, but certainly not one uttered by fans of the game. Ever.

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)

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 teamsthese 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, 16-29, 5 mins remaining, 1987
Japan vs New Zealand, 3-24, 2nd half kickoff, 1995

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:
*ru|ARG
*ru|AUS
*ru|CAN
*ru|Chinese Taipei
*ru|ENG
*ru|FRA
*ru|GER
*ru|IRE
*ru|ITA
*ru|CIV
*ru|JPN
*ru|Malaysia
*ru|NAM
*ru|NED
*ru|NZL
*ru|POR
*ru|ROM
*ru|SCO
*ru|Singapore
*ru|RSA
*ru|ESP
*ru|SRI
*ru|THA
*ru|TGA
*ru|USA
*ru|WAL
*ru|Western Samoa
*ru|ZIM

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

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.

=New Zealand All Blacks Featured in the Game=

1 Craig Dowd
2 Sean Fitzpatrick
3 Olo Brown
4 Ian Jones
5 Robin Brooke
6 Mike Brewer
7 Josh Kronfeld
8 Zinzan Brooke
9 Graeme Bachop
10 Andrew Mehrtens
11 Jonah Lomu
12 Walter Little
13 Frank Bunce
14 Jeff Wilson
15 Glen Osbourne

Other Noteable Players

Joel Stransky Michael Lynagh Phil Kearns Matt Burke John Eales Mike Catt George Gregan Tim Horan David Campese Willie O Brian Lima Pat Lam Rory Underwood Martin Johnson Neil Jenkins Gavin Hastings Marius Joubert Philippe Sella Os du Randt Joost van der Westhuizen Mark Andrews

References

External links

* [http://www.gamespot.com/ps/sports/jonahlomurugby/index.html "Jonah Lomu Rugby"] at GameSpot
* [http://psx.ign.com/objects/010/010535.html "Jonah Lomu Rugby"] at IGN
* [http://www.gamestats.com/objects/010/010535/index.html "Jonah Lomu Rugby"] at GameStats
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