Lomu confirms return in Johnson testimonial

LONDON - Former All Black winger Jonah Lomu will play his first full match for three years when he captains a southern hemisphere team at Twickenham on June 4.

Lomu, 29, will make his comeback in a testimonial game for England's World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson, who announced his retirement from all rugby on Monday.

He is attempting to return to competitive rugby after a kidney transplant last July after 10 years battling Nephrotic Syndrome.

Lomu, one of the most exciting talents ever to grace the game, has continually said that he hopes to return to a level where he can again be considered for the All Blacks. However, on Monday he was limiting his ambition to the short term.

"This will be my first XVs game for just about three years," he told a news conference at Twickenham on Monday.

"My training schedule will be quite testing before then, combined with playing some sevens.

"I've got so much energy I don't know what to do with it. I train three times a day six times a week and am going through three trainers a day as they can't keep up.

"I've always dreamed about returning to the top of the game but my goal at the moment is June 4."

One of Lomu's finest hours came at Twickenham in the 1999 World Cup when a memorable try helped beat England 30-16 in a pool game while his greatest performance was also against England when he single-handedly destroyed them in the semi-finals of the 1995 World Cup.

The effects of his debilitating disease, however, meant that he gradually lost power and health and, before his transplant, could barely move.

"The worst period was not being able to walk," he said. "My wife saw me at my worst. Trying to walk to the bathroom, I used to take two steps and fall over. Now I can run and its all coming back.

"Now I just want to get out there and play because I love the game."

Lomu said there was no particular risk to his new kidney from playing a full contact match.

"I've had it put in the same region where my original kidneys are, I've taken all the steps," he said.

"I am taking no more risks than any one crossing the road.

"This sets my soul at peace and I want to finish something I started in 1994."

"When I come back I'll make sure that I'm ready to be chosen on my merits."

Johnson said he was delighted to see Lomu back in action.

"I'm really happy for Jonah and for the game that he's back," he said.

"He's always been a real draw for the game and it's fantastic that he has come back. To see him come back from illness is amazing.

"I've probably never laid a hand on him in anger during a game but maybe I will before the end of my career."

- REUTERS