Lomu targeting Sevens World Cup
Jonah Lomu has targeted next year’s Sevens World Cup as his rugby comeback date, according to a Sunday newspaper in New Zealand.
It is seven weeks since the former All Blacks wing, who has suffered from the rare kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome for the last 10 years, underwent a kidney transplant.
He has been seen working out at a gym in Auckland and has told friends he would like to return to action at the World Cup in Hong Kong next March.
New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens told the Sunday News: “I have been told he wants to be back for the World Cup.
“That is great news because sevens can provide him with the perfect avenue back to top-class rugby.
“The special environment in the New Zealand sevens side would be good for him. No-one would put any pressure on him. We would support him.”
Tietjens is expected to contact Lomu about the possibility of attending a sevens camp later in the year.
Lomu would need clearance from the World Anti-Doping Agency before he could start playing again because one of the drugs he must take following the transplant is the banned substance Prednisone.
