3.00pm
All Black Jonah Lomu's kidney function is deteriorating and today he started receiving treatment by renal dialysis at Auckland Hospital.
The treatment was necessary for the chronic kidney condition which Lomu had had for a number of years, All Blacks doctor John Mayhew said in a New Zealand Rugby Union statement.
"We
have had to move to dialysis as a result of a recent deterioration in Jonah's kidney function."
Lomu would receive treatment three times a week as an out-patient at the hospital, the statement said.
Manager Phil Kingsley Jones said Lomu remained in good spirits despite the setback.
"Jonah is very positive and he has received a great boost by all the support he has received since it became necessary for him to withdraw from playing rugby," Mr Kingsley Jones said.
"He is very determined to get back to where he was. He has not given up on his dream of playing at the Rugby World Cup."
- NZPA
