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Feeling fit All Black winger hopes to regain starting spot
Posted: Thursday October 14, 1999 07:56 PM
BROMSGROVE, England (Reuters) -- Jonah Lomu, the big performer of the last World Cup in 1995, touched down in England on Friday determined to win his place back in the New Zealand starting line-up for the 1999 tournament. Illness and injury have upset the giant 24-year-old winger's career since his one-man demolition job on England in the semifinals four years ago when he trampled over the home defense to run in four tries. But after his arrival at the team's first World Cup headquarters in the English Midlands, Lomu painted a positive picture of both his, and the All Blacks' aspirations. "People keep asking me how I can top what I achieved in the last World Cup," Lomu said. "The only way to do that is if we win the tournament. I know people in New Zealand probably think I have been frustrated at losing my place in the team. But in truth I'm not. "Obviously, I'd always rather be playing for my country than sitting on the bench. But at the same time it's the biggest honor any player could have to be included in an All Blacks' squad for the World Cup. "I've had my problems with both form and fitness. But right now everything is fine and I'm feeling really strong again." Lomu, 1.96 meters and 118 kilograms, is one of the most difficult players to stop when he gets into his stride. He looked sharp in training before the Kiwis left for the tournament where they play in first-round group B with England, Tonga and Italy. All Black coach John Hart has said he expects the winger to play a significant role in the World Cup but has refused to be drawn on whether Lomu will be his starting line-up. Lomu said: "What happened in the last World Cup is history and belongs to 1995. Who knows what will happen in 1999? I'm just looking forward to the challenge, and hopefully, any opportunities that come my way. "If the selectors want me to come off the bench that's fine by me. It doesn't really matter where I come from as long as I get the opportunity to play for New Zealand. But he added: "But make no mistake, I'm here to do all I can during the build-up to win back my place in the starting line-up." The winger pledged to do his utmost to help the younger players in the New Zealand squad, regarded as favorites for the tournament that starts next Friday. New Zealand opens its campaign against Tonga on October 3. "I've spent a lot of time already telling the new guys what it's all about at this level," he said. "When I first came into the side a lot of us were in awe of some of the senior All Blacks we'd previously been watching while still at school. "But right from the start they used to treat us like equals as soon as we pulled on an All Black jersey. "The difference with this squad is that we all know each other really well and have already developed into a tight unit. It's one for all and all for one, and that's how it's going to be for the next couple of months." New Zealand, whcih won the inaugural tournament in 1987, was beaten in the final by South Africa four years ago. Lomu said: "Having lost out in the final to South Africa last time this is an opportunity we realize we must grasp with both hands. "For some of us it will be our last chance to win the World Cup. But that's the goal we are all pushing for. We know it's going to be a really hard road that we've got to go down, and that we'll need to be at our best in every game. "That's why it's the ultimate test for every nation competing in the tournament, and you only get that chance once every four years."
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