Auckland, June 05: New Zealand wing Jonah Lomu, the world's best known rugby player, said on Wednesday he would eventually need a kidney transplant. Lomu, 28, started dialysis at the weekend for the kidney condition nephrotic syndrome. This is a condition in which the filtering function of the kidneys breaks down, causing the urine to contain a high proportion of protein and the blood plasma has low levels of protein. The condition is usually caused by kidney diseases which may be incurable. Asked by New Zealand television interviewer Paul Holmes whether he needed a transplant, Lomu replied: "Yes I do." Lomu, who became an international sensation when he scored four tries in the 45-29 semi-final demolition of England at the 1995 World Cup, was omitted from the All Black squad for tests against England, Wales and France this month. He said on Wednesday he still hoped he could play in this year's World Cup opening in Sydney on October 10 but conceded it was "highly recommended" that he not play after a transplant. Lomu said, however, he thought he could still play even while on dialysis.


"There's danger in everything," he said. "You could walk around the corner and get hurt by a truck, there's always that possibility.


"A lot of people think I'm being very silly and putting my health at risk and so forth but to me I'd risk everything to live the dream that I started.


"I wanted to play in the World Cup and win a World Cup. That will complete my life story."


Lomu reached the World Cup final of 1995 but the All Blacks were defeated by hosts South Africa and lost in the semi-final to France in 1999.


Bureau Report