All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu is “in really bad shape” as he battles kidney problems in an Auckland hospital, it was reported yesterday.
Lomu, who suffers from a rare kidney condition, was admitted to Auckland Hospital’s renal unit last week.
The hospital and Lomu’s representatives have released no official word on his condition, but the Dominion Post yesterday quoted unnamed sources close to the 36-year-old as saying there were fears major complications had set in.
Photo: EPA
The source described Lomu as “seriously ill.”
Lomu, who played a starring role in the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony on Sept. 9, was diagnosed in 1995 with the rare kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome, which causes fatigue, weakness and kidney failure.
The devastating winger still ignited the 1995 and 1999 World Cups, becoming rugby’s first global superstar, but the illness eventually cut short his playing career.
He underwent a kidney transplant in 2004, receiving an organ donated by New Zealand radio announcer Grant Kereama.
The extent of Lomu’s health woes have been kept under wraps after his management reportedly signed an exclusive deal with a women’s magazine for the story of his illness.
His former All Blacks teammate Kees Meeuws urged Lomu to tell fans about his condition yesterday, complaining to TVNZ that they were being kept in the dark.
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