Recovering Lomu helps Aussies out

JONAH Lomu still knows how to send shivers up the spines of Wallabies. Australia coach Robbie Deans phoned the retired superstar to check on his well-being, and Lomu returned the gesture by inviting himself along to the Wallabies’ training yesterday at North Harbour Stadium.

Not long after he featured in the tournament’s opening ceremony, the 36-year-old Lomu’s body suddenly started rejecting the kidney he received in a life-saving 2004 transplant. Lomu spent 16 days in Auckland Hospital’s liver and renal ward, and was released less than two weeks ago.

“He was good enough to share his time with the lads,” Deans said. “He’s a good man, he likes to give.”

Lomu will also have dinner with the team on the eve of the Wallabies World Cup bronze-medal match with Wales at Eden Park.