Lomu's manager predicts move to Britain
December 4, 2001

Jonah Lomu's manager has hinted that the giant Kiwi wing will play rugby in Britian at some stage of his career.

Lomu's manager, Phil Kingsley-Jones, insists that the 26 year old's love of the UK will see him play here one day, but not before RWC 2003.

Lomu's existing two-year New Zealand Rugby Union contract expires after that tournament and there are sure to be a host of clubs intereste in his signature.

Saracens, Gloucester, Leeds, London Irish and Worcester have also expressed interest at various stages of Lomu's career, with some inquiries being made as recently as three months ago just before the juggernaut wing penned a new deal Down Under.

"I would love to see Jonah playing in the United Kingdom and I think there is a fair chance it will happen at some stage," said Kingsley-Jones.

"I look at the long term, and my job as his manager is to assess what's out there. But I would never want him to come to the UK and just play for the money.

"He loves it in the UK, and we will sit down to decide what happens next immediately after his current contract finishes."

Lomu will still only be 32 when the 2007 World Cup comes around.

In addition to that, the Lions tour of New Zealand two years beforehand could provide a sufficient carrot to the keep him in the southern hemisphere.

Lomu, at Twickenham today for the launch of his rugby life story on video and DVD, insisted the All Blacks jersey still holds a magical lure.

"I want to play for the All Blacks, and if you are not playing in New Zealand then you won't be considered for All Blacks selection," said Lomu.

"It would be a great honour to play in the UK - but only if they could offer me an All Blacks jersey as well, because that is what I hold in the highest regard."

Lomu played a key part on the All Blacks' five-match unbeaten tour of Europe and South America and believes that the appointment of former England assistant John Mitchell as head coach has proved a wise one.

"Mitch has incorporated a new belief in the team, and that has been shown by the results," added Lomu.

"This is currently a re-building phase for New Zealand rugby, but if you look at youngsters like Ben Blair and the Mauger brothers then the depth and strength of talent is there. I hope people are seeing the start of some great things in New Zealand rugby."

Although Lomu made little comment on England, he did single out former rugby league star Jason Robinson.

Robinson has proved a roaring success as England's new full-back, and Lomu said: "He's a brilliant footballer.

"You just can't give him too much room, because he steps off both feet very well - if you give him too many options then he will run rings around you.

"Players try to figure out in which direction he is running, but he can change direction in a split second."

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.