Lomu prepares for his rugby comeback

Wed Oct 28 2009 14:19:48

Former New Zealand international Jonah Lomu says he has recovered from his health problems and is ready to make a long-awaited comeback to rugby.

The 34-year-old, who played 63 tests for the All Blacks between 1994 and 2002 before his career was cut short by kidney disease, is set to return next month for French amateur side Marseille-Vitrolles.

"I have faith in what I can do, and it's irrelevant what anyone else thinks or what they say," Lomu said, while in Tokyo to watch Saturday's Bledisloe Cup.

Lomu, who has his beloved All Blacks jersey number 11 tattooed on his chest, had a kidney transplant in 2004 and his weight ballooned to 142 kilos while he was away from rugby.

He has flirted with bodybuilding on his return to fitness and has not ruled out playing for the All Blacks again in the future.

"That is still a dream. I can dream about it, but it becoming a reality is a different story. But you know, it's something you always desire when you play. If they rang me up tomorrow, and said 'We need a player', hey sure enough, I'd bring my boots with me," said Lomu, who was regarded as the world's most spectacular player in his prime.

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