Lomu confirms competitive return

All Blacks great Jonah Lomu today confirmed he will make a long-awaited return to competitive rugby with New Zealand provincial side North Harbour.

Lomu has signed a two-year contract with North Harbour having recovered from the crippling kidney disease which threatened his career and has kept him out of the game since 2003.

Now 29, Lomu has won 63 caps for New Zealand and scored 37 tries, making his first major impact on world rugby with a series of rampaging performances at the 1995 World Cup.

He will begin training with his new club in June, ahead of the 2005-06 National Provincial Championship beginning in August.

“I have been waiting for the chance to play again,” said Lomu.

“I’ve got my ultimate dream and a plan to get there. Getting out on the field, that’s goal number one and I’m really pleased to be doing that with Harbour.”

North Harbour chief executive Noel Coom enthused: “A player of his quality and stature can only strengthen and positively add to our team – we can’t wait for the season to begin.”