Centrebet cuts odds on Lomu's World Cup chances

The odds on Jonah Lomu donning an All Blacks rugby jersey at the World Cup were cut by Australian bookmakers Centrebet after the giant winger announced his return to the NPC today.

Centrebet is taking bets at $A2.50 ($NZ2.72) that Lomu realises his dream of adding to his 63-test caps after undergoing a kidney transplant last July.

The odds equate to a 40 percent chance he will play in the 2007 World Cup in France.

In January Centrebet reduced the odds from $A6 to $A3 when Lomu announced he would play in June's testimonial match for former England captain Martin Johnson at Twickenham.

The North Harbour Rugby Union today confirmed they had signed the 29 year-old on a two-year contract for the NPC starting in August.

Lomu has been out of rugby for two years after a kidney disease forced him to have dialysis for eight hours a day before his transplant.

He has always maintained that he would make a return to international rugby.

- NZPA