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Rugby World Cup: Ailing Jonah Lomu fronts up to Wallabies

By Nicholas Jones 5:30 AM Thursday Oct 20, 2011

Ailing rugby superstar and former All Black Jonah Lomu has made a rare appearance to meet members of the Australian Rugby World Cup squad.

Wallabies David Pocock (left) and James O’Connor were stoked to meet Jonah Lomu yesterday. Photo / Supplied

The former winger’s visit boosted morale in the Wallaby camp ahead of their third-place play-off against Wales tomorrow night.

A Wallabies spokesman said Lomu looked in good health as he attended a morning training session and talked with players afterwards.

“He’s a quality man … It was a thrill to see him up and about and looking so well. Jonah’s always been really positive; nothing seems to get him down.”

After the visit, under-fire playmaker Quade Cooper tweeted: “Big thanks to Jonah for giving his time and having a chat. There’s no better person to talk to about life, rugby, and expectation.”

Flanker David Pocock posted a photo of Lomu with his arms around him and winger James O’Connor in Wallaby training gear.

“Great to meet the legendary Jonah Lomu. What a good bloke too,” Pocock tweeted.

O’Connor said Lomu was “one of the most genuine blokes I’ve met”.

Australian coach Robbie Deans was Lomu’s last backs coach for the All Blacks, and the famous number 11 met up with the Wallabies after their 2009 Bledisloe Cup match in Tokyo.

He has been in contact with Deans since and will have dinner with the Wallabies at their hotel tonight.

Last month, Lomu was admitted to Auckland City Hospital and is undergoing tests to see if his failing kidney can be revived.

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He is now on daily dialysis.

By Nicholas Jones | Email Nicholas

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JONAH LOMU LIES IN HOSPITAL, SOME SAY CRITICALLY ILL BUT HIS MANAGER DENIES THAT HE IS CLOSE TO DEATH.

JUST WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON?
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Press Association

The Guardian Sport User comments Sunday 2 October 2011 00.45 BST

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Auckland

Training may have harmed Jonah Lomu

MICHELLE ROBINSON

Last updated 05:00 01/10/201

PETER MEECHAM/Fairfax Media
HOSPITALISED: Sources close to rugby legend Jonah Lomu say he is “in really bad shape

A rigorous training routine and diet in the lead-up to a charity boxing event could have pushed Jonah Lomu’s health over the edge.

The rugby great has been in Auckland Hospital since Saturday, battling complications associated with his kidney disease. Sources close to him have said he’s in “really bad shape”.

Lomu had been training to take part in the Fight For Life charity boxing event in December and it is understood his intense boxing training may have contributed to his ill health.

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Lomu, 36, was diagnosed with the debilitating kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome in 1995. He faced a shortened life on dialysis until radio announcer Grant Kereama donated a kidney in 2004.

Last month Lomu announced he would fight Warriors wing Manu ”The Beast” Vatuvei for Fight For Life on December 3.

Lomu was yesterday seen being wheeled on a hospital bed back to his room in Auckland Hospital. Two medical staff and a security guard were with him, and a sheet partly covered his face to protect his privacy.

One patient on the same ward, who did not want to be named, said he was admitted about the same time as Lomu and also identified it was him as he was wheeled past.

”There’s been a lot of security here but he hasn’t had a lot of visitors,” the patient said.

A close friend said the family had instructed hospital staff to allow only immediate family members into Lomu’s room.

They added there was a feeling Lomu’s family feared any unrelated visitors would leak details of his condition.

– Auckland Now

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The Australian

The New Zealand All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) staff hold up a sign saying “Get well soon Jonah – Kia Kaha”. Source: AFP

Rugby legend Jonah Lomu seriously ill

RUGBY legend Jonah Lomu is seriously unwell and may have ongoing complications from his debilitating kidney disorder following his stint in hospital, friends say.

The former All Black has been tight-lipped about his six-day stay in Auckland Hospital’s kidney and liver transplant wing as news came to light that he has sold his story to the New Women’s Weekly.

But sources close to Lomu have confirmed he is “in really bad shape” as he battles his condition and may have to cope with ongoing health problems from the latest flare up of the disorder, called nephrotic syndrome.

AAP

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NZ Herald

Jonah Lomu’s fans kept in the dark

By Isaac Davison, Vaimoana Tapaleao, Newstalk ZB and APNZ

1:44 PM Friday Sep 30, 201

Jonah Lomu and his family are being urged to let his fans know how he is, as reports surface that his boxing regime may have contributed to his current round of ill health.

Tation is revealed in rival publications.

Woman’s Weekly editor Sarah Stuart last night confirmed the exclusive arrangement with the Lomus.

But she would not say how much the magazine had paid.

She said it had been a “most stressful” time for the couple, and they were speaking to a news organisation they trusted.

By Isaac Davison, Vaimoana Tapaleao, Newstalk ZB and APNZ | Email Isaac

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From Wikipedia

Jonah Tali Lomu, born 12 May 1975, had sixty-three caps as an All Black after debuting in 1994. He is generally regarded as the first true global superstar of rugby union. He has had a huge impact on the game. He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame on 9 October 2007.

Lomu burst onto the international rugby scene during the 1994 Hong Kong Sevens tournament and was widely acknowledged to be the top player at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa even though New Zealand lost the championship game to the host Springboks. At one time Lomu was considered ‘rugby union’s biggest drawcard’, swelling attendances at any match where he appeared. He is officially the Rugby World Cup all-time top try scorer with 15 tries.

He has played for several provincial teams, in the Super Rugby and NPC competitions. These included the Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes, and Counties Manukau, Wellington and later North Harbour. He made a comeback after undergoing a kidney transplant in 2004.

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