Jonah Lomu’s dreams of playing again for the All Blacks have taken another knock with news that his comeback to first-class rugby will be delayed for four more months while he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Lomu will have surgery in the next few days after he injured his shoulder in the Martin Johnson testimonial match in London on June 4. The match was Lomu’s first in nearly two years after he was forced out of the game by a kidney complaint which ended with a kidney transplant in June last year.
The 30-year-old had been named in a 27-strong North Harbour squad to play Samoa next week, but scans Wednesday revealed the extent of his injury.
”I was really looking forward to the season with North Harbour and to returning to New Zealand rugby,” Lomu said.
”For me it’s yet another challenge to get my head and my body around. But right now it’s one step at a time — surgery and then a rehabilitation programme.” North Harbour team doctor John Mayhew said Lomu was expected to make a full recovery.
”He will need a minimum of four months’ recuperation and rehabilitation following the surgery,” Mayhew said.
The recuperation period means Lomu will not be available for North Harbour this season.
”While we share in his disappointment that he won’t be commencing the NPC [National Provincial Championship] season with us this year, this does not appear to be a career-threatening injury and I’m sure he will be back to play some great rugby in the future,” North Harbour chief executive Noel Coom said.
Lomu’s tackle-busting power made him the most famous player in rugby at the height of his career. He has said he is determined to play again for the All Blacks, for whom he scored 37 tries in 63 Tests, the last in 2002. – Sapa-AFP