LOMU LOOKING FORWARD TO WALES START
The monster All Black wing has signed with the Welsh region until the end of the season as he continues his return from a life-saving kidney transplant 15 months ago. Lomu, who scored 37 tries in his 63 Tests for New Zealand, arrives at the Arms Park in mid-November and is eyeing the Powergen Cup match at London Irish for his debut. And he reckons his seven-month stint in Wales will help him complete a stunning return to international rugby in time to make the 2007 World Cup.
“I’m excited by the challenge. It’s great that Cardiff want to help me achieve what I want to achieve. They have bent over backwards to get me there,” said Lomu. “This will be a huge help in terms of where I want to head with my rugby. Now all I have to do is perform on the field. I have a firm direction about where I’m heading.”
“It’s a really exciting time to be involved in Welsh rugby. They are enjoying real resurgence in the world game and as a country it shares the same passion and love for the game as New Zealand does. I have always felt a great warmth from the Welsh.”
Lomu, who became the youngest Test player in New Zealand history when he made his debut as a 19-year-old against France in 1994, went on to become the biggest name in the sport before being crippled by nephritic syndrome. He returned to the rugby field in Martin Johnson’s testimonial match at Twickenham in June, but injured a shoulder. However Cardiff chief executive Bob Norster insists the signing is not a gamble.
He said: “Jonah has been away from the field for some time but we truly believe, having made all the checks through our medical people and scouting networks, that he is more than ready to step on a rugby field and give his best.”
