Lomu on lookout for another kidney donor

All Black legend Jonah Lomu’s transplanted kidney has failed, forcing the giant to search for another kidney to survive.

Lomu is reportedly 30kg lighter than when he launched the Rugby World Cup in September since the organ — donated by his friend and radio host Grant Kereama — stopped working.

“We were hoping to see some improvement but nothing has made any difference, so the next step is to try to find a donor,” he told New Zealand Woman’s Weekly.

Lomu’s immune system is so low that an ankle injury got infected so badly he couldn’t walk. He told the magazine he was having dialysis for seven hours, three nights a week but was focusing on spending as much time as possible with his family.

Kidney Health New Zealand education manager Carmel Gregan-Ford said finding a suitable donor for a second transplant was difficult because the recipient had more antibodies than before their first transplant.

Nadene Lomu, mother to Lomu’s two sons, said she was struggling to cope: “When trial after trial is smacked in your face, it can be hard. I’m wondering what else can go wrong.”