Jonah Lomu: All Blacks their own worst enemies

Wendell Sailor and Jonah Lomu size each other up as they prepare for the 2011 Fight for Life. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Forget the Wallabies, the French and the Springboks, says Jonah Lomu - the greatest opposition the All Blacks face at the World Cup is themselves.

Lomu, 36, a shining light for the All Blacks in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups and still one of the best known rugby players in the world, is confident they can turn things around despite losing consecutive matches against South Africa and Australia.

"The biggest opposition is themselves," he said. "If you're mentally not there or prepared or not up for it, mate, you are dead and gone.

"World Cups are completely different to any other tournament. Don't expect it to be like the Tri-Nations, don't expect it to be like one-off tests or end-of-year tours.

"For the six weeks or so while these guys are playing, they will be in each other's pockets.

"You have to make sure that the camp is happy and well balanced and everything else ... If any of these things aren't right, it's never going to be right on the field.

"The guys who aren't in the starting line-up are a key component in this. They've got to keep pushing these guys because that will make them more hungry."

What about the Wallabies, who roared out to a 20-3 lead against the All Blacks in Brisbane on Saturday night before stumbling but still holding on for a 25-20 victory?

"Mate, that was the Tri-Nations, this is a different kettle of fish."

Another former All Black, Christian Cullen, isn't so sure.

He believes that after last weekend's win, the Aussies are a threat.

"They've got a Kiwi coach and some pretty clever players. Belief is growing in that squad. Will Genia is one of the best players in the world and he is in a key position to run games.

"[Quade] Cooper - we know what he's like, not a very good defender but on attack he's a clever fella. They've got speed out wide and a solid midfield. I've always thought they had a soft underbelly up front but that seems to have been sorted and they were pretty impressive in that first half."

Lomu remains confident: "The more support the boys get, the more they will dig deep. It instils fear in teams coming to New Zealand. It's the hardest place to play."

Lomu and Cullen were both confirmed yesterday for the Fight for Your Life charity boxing event in Auckland on December 3.

Kidney transplant recipient Lomu was not worried about the risks but said it was probably a good thing the management of All Black and professional fighter Sonny Bill Williams declined the offer of a fight.

"There's no difference between this and playing rugby," Lomu said. "Life is too short to be wrapped up in cotton wool."

He was looking forward to the fight against his yet-to-be-confirmed opponent and raising funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand. "I can't wait to get it on."

Lomu and Cullen will fight alongside fellow former All Blacks Troy Flavell and Carlos Spencer, with current All Black Liam Messam and former New Zealand Maori player Slade McFarland also on the list.

They will take on former Australia league and rugby player Wendell Sailor, along with former Kiwis Monty Betham, Awen Guttenbeil, Joe Vagana and Jerry Seuseu and current New Zealand representative and South Sydney player Issac Luke.

The venue is the Trusts Stadium Arena in Waitakere. Promoter Dean Lonergan said the line-ups would be announced on November 1. Each bout will have three two-minute rounds.