Rugby: Lomu banking on Welsh sun

Jonah Lomu insists his Barbarians team-mates will be doubly grateful for the expected good weather this weekend.

The Baa Baas begin their three-match tour against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday but Lomu, who will sit on the sidelines as coach Bob Dwyer juggles his touring squad, believes the team would face a further disadvantage if the rain fell.

The talismanic All Black has played just once at the Millennium Stadium and recognises that the volume of noise becomes even greater when the retractable roof is in operation.

‘‘I have only played at the Millennium stadium once before in the World Cup in 1999 with New Zealand,’’ said Lomu.

‘‘It is a tremendous atmosphere especially when they close the roof over it gets very vocal.

‘‘But, hopefully the weather will be good so that won’t be happening this weekend.’’

However Lomu credits the influence of a fellow Kiwi for the resurgence in Welsh rugby after a disappointing decade.

‘‘The Welsh are a good team and, with a coach like Graham Henry, it is an exciting time for them,’’ said Lomu.

‘‘I know Graham well he is a great tactician and plays to his strengths but it will be a tough call trying to beat them on their home ground on Sunday.

‘‘Everybody obviously lifts themselves at a stadium like theirs and it is an opportunity the Welsh team will want to take.

‘‘I know Graham very well. I had him as my coach for two years and he will have the team fired up and ready to go.’’

While the Welsh supporters will miss out on the fearsome sight of Lomu in full flow, the New Zealander admits he almost missed out on the prestige of further Barbarians caps thanks to an Englishman.

Lomu had been struggling with a foot injury but has managed to shrug that off and declare himself back to full fitness.

‘‘I did it in training when one of the props stood on it as I was about to take off,’’ said Lomu.

‘‘It was Kevin Yates who did it a few weeks ago and it has been niggling. I did it again against New South Wales and then against the Chiefs where it got worse so I took a week off.

‘‘But it has got better and, although I haven’t run on it yet, it is looking really good and I am walking on it properly.

‘‘About 10 days ago, I couldn’t stand on it. I had physio but the important thing was keeping off it.

‘‘It was my left foot but I think I have kicked myself on the right one and don’t know which one it is!

‘‘It is just bruising but we were hoping it wasn’t torn, which it isn’t. I just want to feel comfortable running.’’