RUGBY/News: Former All Black winger Jonah Lomu is recovering after having a kidney transplant two days ago, his doctor revealed yesterday.
Lomu, who has been suffering from the rare condition known as nephrotic syndrome for almost 10 years, received a new kidney from an anonymous donor.
The 29-year-old was as "well as could be expected" after a four- to five- hour operation, former All Black team doctor John Mayhew, who has been treating Lomu, stated.
"We do not expect to be in position to comment on the success of the transplant for at least three months, at which time we will have a better picture of how Jonah's new kidney is functioning," he said.
Lomu said in February he faced life in a wheelchair if he did not receive a new kidney. A nerve specialist had told him he might not walk again because of nerve trouble in his legs caused by dialysis treatment.
Lomu learned in 1995, before taking international rugby by storm, he was at risk of kidney failure because of the disease. But he went on to dominate the 1995 World Cup where he scored four tries against England in the semi-finals.
He was at his fearsome best again in the 1999 tournament where he finished as leading try scorer. He had missed most of the 1997 season while undergoing treatment.
Lomu was unable to play in last year's tournament, completing only three Super 12 matches before cutting his season short to receive dialysis.
Lomu became the youngest New Zealand international at the age of 19 in 1994. He played 63 Tests and scored 37 tries.
Meanwhile, Australia coach Eddie Jones does not think tomorrow's Tri-nations match with South Africa will be a repeat of last year's ill-tempered clash.
Jones said Australia had moved on from the match, after which two South African forwards were suspended, and new Springbok coach Jake White had brought a different approach to his team.
"They're a differently coached side, a well-disciplined side under Jake White, who's doing a very good job, so those sort of things have faded into the past," Jones said
Lock Bakkies Botha received an eight-week ban for "attacking the face" of Wallabies hooker Brendan Cannon during last August's match, which Australia won 29-9. Springbok prop Robbie Kempson was also suspended for four weeks for a late tackle on Australia number eight Toutai Kefu.
The match will pit South Africa-born winger Clyde Rathbone and lock Daniel Vickerman, against their former country.
Connacht have persuaded Paul Warwick to end his World Series sevens adventures and pledge his future to the province. The 23-year-old outhalf spent last season skippering the Australian sevens side. "I have toured Ireland before with an Australian schools team," said Warwick, who received the Australian Sevens Best and Fairest Award for his performances in the IRB sevens series last season.
