Jonah Lomu has hailed Gareth Thomas' recent decision to publicly admit that he was gay.
Former Wales captain Thomas, who recently completed a cross-code switch to Rugby League outfit Crusaders, came out in December of last year.
Lomu believes that Thomas was incredibly brave to do so, given the stigma that is still attached to sexuality within rugby circles.
The legendary All Black winger is now hoping that Thomas' admission will make it easier for other rugby players to follow suit.
"I hope it does," the New Zealander said. "The more it is brought to light the easier it will be for people.
"It is brave of him and I'm sure it would have been eating him up inside. He's made the decision to come out and the man's happy.
"Anyone who has played rugby will know that it will not have been an easy decision to make.
"Whether you come out or not is an individual's decision. If that's the way you are and that's the way you're made up, you can't do anything about it.
"Rugby players shouldn't be judged on that, they should be judged on being rugby players."