Legend Lomu ‘inspired’ win

A STIRRING pre-Test address from Jonah Lomu helped lift the All Blacks to their best rugby test performance of the year against France.

France-based Lomu was the All Blacks’ guest of honour on Thursday as he spoke to the players and urged them to reach great heights.

Fullback Mils Muliaina said: “We had the big man come in on Thursday; that was awesome to see a guy like that talk to us about where he’s at. We were really inspired by the things he said.”

Lomu starred in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups for the All Blacks, but his international career was cut short in 2002 by a debilitating kidney illness which later required a transplant. He moved to Marseille this month after signing a three-year deal with third-division club Marseille-Vitrolles, on top of his busy role as global rugby ambassador for adidas.

“He spoke a lot about him still wanting to be in the black jersey, and he still dreams about it today. For an older guy like me, that inspires you to keep being in the environment and want to play your best,” Muliaina said. “He lost it through sickness and you never know what’s about the corner. That in itself is inspiring.”