Lomu still eyes All Blacks jersey

8.30am

Jonah Lomu wants to play rugby for two more years and reclaim his All Blacks jersey despite losing the race to be fit for this year's World Cup, his manager said today.

Phil Kingsley Jones said Lomu was determined to return to the field for Wellington in the NPC in coming weeks despite having dialysis treatment for his kidney condition.

"He still believes that All Blacks jersey one day will be there for him. He's 28 years of age, and he's dying to get back on the field," Kingsley Jones told Radio Sport today.

"He believes he's got another two seasons in him on dialysis. He wants to play in the NPC... play rugby and enjoy it.

"There are lots of other things he could be doing but rugby is still No 1 for him."

Lomu was set to make his NPC comeback for Wellington earlier this month but suffered a calf injury which was still troubling him.

Kingsley Jones said Lomu was also struck down by flu, and hasn't attended Wellington training this week which saw him certain to miss Friday night's match against Auckland.

Kingsley Jones said Lomu was resigned to missing the All Blacks World Cup squad named on Monday but that hadn't dampened his enthusiasm.

"There's no sentiment in sport, you have to get out there and prove it.

"Playing in the NPC will show which way he can go. There are always options overseas but his beloved thing is to play in the All Blacks jersey."

Kingsley Jones said he would like Lomu to be used as an ambassador at the World Cup in Australia in October and November, but nothing had yet been discussed.

"That is the type of thing I'd love to see. We can't lose him from rugby. I believe he is the face of rugby."

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Chris Moller said they hadn't yet approached Lomu but the offer was there.

"Jonah's priority is to continue to play rugby, but we've said to Phil if he wants to discuss it (the ambassador concept) we'd be happy to do that," Moller said.

"We think it may well be a possibility to do something with the IRB... he's an icon around the world."

Lomu hasn't played top rugby since the Super 12 in March when his kidney problem flared up, forcing him to undergo dialysis treatment three times a week in Auckland.

- NZPA