All Blacks doctor John Mayhew said on Monday he had cleared rugby union's biggest name JonahLomu to return to competition this month even though he is stillbattling a rare kidney disease.
Winger Lomu is having dialysis treatment for nephroticsyndrome in a bid to return to the New Zealand test side for theWorld Cup starting in Sydney on October 10.
The 28-year-old, who has scored 37 tries in 63 tests and wasthe outstanding player at the 1995 World Cup, is aiming for acomeback with Wellington later this month in the NationalProvincial Championship.
"When it was first proposed that Jonah might play forWellington I thought his renal physicians would say 'no way',"Mayhew said in an interview on New Zealand radio.
"That's not the case. Their opinion is that as long as hefollows the proper protocols there is no danger.
"People will see what a healthy-looking individual he is."It may be he can't get up to his pre-dialysis levels offitness. I'm hopeful he can.
"All I can do is give him my best advice and leave it atthat. He's been training hard and he's fully fit.
"He may be a bit rusty in his rugby skills but that shouldbe fairly easily overcome."
Wellington play their first NPC match against Southland onAugust 16.
Lomu told the French sports daily L'Equipe in June: "I'mgoing to do everything I can to play in the World Cup. It's mylast chance."
Reuters