New Zealand have been breaking the mould since before the days of Jonah Lomu, but now the All Blacks are bidding to become the first Rugby World Cup champions to successfully defend the title.

"It's one thing winning it, it's another thing defending it," said Lomu, who left an indelible mark on the game with his performances in the 1995 and 1999 tournaments despite never winning the trophy.

"No one's ever done it. New Zealand's hoping to do it. They're the ones that hold the trophy. Until they're knocked off the perch they're still the team to beat. [But] a World Cup is a funny thing. It doesn't matter how good you are prior to it, it could all change."

The tournament in England, in many senses, could be easier for Steve Hansen's side than the 2011 edition when, on home soil and after 24 years of trying, New Zealand finally regained the Webb Ellis Trophy. The burden laid heavy on the All Blacks, whose fourth-choice first five-eight Stephen Donald was called up from his fishing break to answer an injury crisis and kicked the decisive penalty in Auckland as they finally overcame France who had defeated them in the 1999 and 2007 tournaments.

Only in the inaugural 1987 tournament had a New Zealand team won the title; they had floundered in the big tournaments and Lomu, who had astounded with his pace, power and try-scoring at the 1995 tournament, was but one of the legendary All Blacks who never won the World Cup.

Lomu scored four of his World Cup-record haul of 15 tries in the semi-final with England in Cape Town before South Africa, in a stunning show of post-Apartheid unity, won the final having subdued the giant winger.

Jonah Lomu became a global icon at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa © Getty Images

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"It's not a regret in any way. You can't win them all," Lomu said. "I've been blessed to be able to play in two World Cups. That's two more than most people. 'Ninety-five was the closest I got to the World Cup. We had one hand on it, the other hand couldn't quite get there.

"We went down in history in that tournament itself in terms of what it did. It was more than just a game. A way of showcasing South Africa and showing things had changed, especially with Nelson Mandela. In '99 we were beaten by a better French side on the day."

Few players, if any, have had an impact comparable to Lomu's. There are plenty of bigger backs and wings on display - Wales' George North to name one - now, but Lomu remains the original and the one against whom comparisons are made.

"The hardest part for a lot of them is if they're big and tall and quick they get compared to me," Lomu said.

"That's quite humbling to be thought of in that way. That's what happens if you're first. "[But] I was heavier than any of the wingers playing now. I played at 18-and-a-half stone. There still isn't a winger that heavy."