New Zealand rugby star Jonah Lomu has not given up hope of forcing his way into the All Blacks’ World Cup squad despite another injury setback, his manager said on Thursday.
The stricken winger’s chances of earning a place in New Zealand’s squad for October’s tournament dwindled even further on Wednesday when he was left out of Wellington’s team for a provincial championship match on Friday.
The game was the last chance Lomu had to demonstrate his fitness to All Blacks selectors before they name their squad for Australia next Monday.
Lomu has missed virtually the entire southern hemisphere season since being laid low with a flare-up of a career-threatening kidney complaint, which has forced him to undergo dialysis three times a week.
He had made a brief comeback last month but has been unable to train with Wellington this week because of severe cramps in his calves, which are believed to have been caused by the dialysis treatment.
New Zealand pundits have all but written off Lomu’s World Cup chances — but the player’s manager, Phil Kingsley-Jones, was adamant there was still a glimmer of hope.
”It’s never the end of the World Cup dream until that team is announced,” Kingsley-Jones said, acknowledging that time was running out.
”It’s going to be more difficult. The least chances he has of playing, the harder it is to prove yourself — that’s a fact of life.
”But saying that, he’s very, very positive, and he can only do what he can do. He’s come so far that just to get back on a rugby field is an achievement, and he will strive to make the All Blacks until he’s told that he’s not there.”
Kingsley-Jones said even with limited match practice, New Zealand’s selectors should consider picking Lomu on the basis of his previous record in World Cups.
Lomu shot to fame with his rampaging performances in South Africa in 1995, and was equally impressive in Wales four years later. With 15 tries from two tournaments, he remains the top tryscorer in World Cup history.
”As his friend and manager I’m biased, but I’m also a rugby man,” said Kingsley-Jones, who is from Wales.
”To me he would be the icing on the cake. We’ve got two fabulous wingers in Joe [Rokocoko] and Dougie [Howlett], but Jonah adds a different dimension.
”He would be great, he can still do it on his day. I would love to see the All Black selectors pick him and have faith and say ‘Okay, we’ve got two months to get him fit.’ I’m sure Jonah would jump at the chance.
”But Jonah has said to me that it’s what’s best for the All Blacks and what is best for the New Zealand supporters that matters, because we’ve waited so long for the World Cup.”
Kingsley-Jones said Lomu could still end up entering the All Blacks equation in the event of an injury.
”We’ve always said ‘Too late’ and ‘Never again’ for Jonah Lomu, haven’t we?,” he said. ”And time and again he’s come back and proved us wrong. If anyone can do it [get back to full fitness] he can.” — Sapa-AFP