OWN CORRESPONDENT, Canberra | Thursday 4.30pm.
RUGBY union superstar Jonah Lomu on Thursday dismissed suggestions he could be tempted to switch codes if he continues to be overlooked by the New Zealand All Blacks.
Melbourne Storm rugby league side plan to cast their eye over Lomu when the New Zealand A side plays the Australian Barbarians at Melbourne’s Olympic Park on July 10.
But Lomu, in Canberra for Saturday’s ACT-New Zealand A match at Bruce Stadium, said he was contracted to the NZRU until November and was keen to win a place in the All Blacks’ World Cup squad. “I’m just concentrating on playing rugby at the moment,” he told reporters at Canberra Airport.
“I love league, I won’t deny that, but my priority at the moment is to play rugby for New Zealand,” he said.
Lomu has struggled to find consistent form this season and failed to win a spot for the Test against France last week when the All Blacks triumphed 54-7. All Black coach John Hart preferred Christian Cullen and Tana Umaga on the wings for that match.
Lomu was recalled for New Zealand A for Saturday night’s game against a Brumbies line up missing Wallabies George Gregan, Joe Roff, David Giffin, Jeremy Paul and Patricio Noriega.–AFP