Lomu is hopeful of playing again

Lomu had been quoted saying a donor had been found and an operation would take place later in the year.

But former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew said: "Any such statements are totally incorrect and have totally annoyed Jonah.

"He had people saying, 'Well done, it'll be good when you get the kidney,' but it's not like that at all."

The story first appeared in the South China Morning Post newspaper, but Lomu has since told a news conference that his brother had been a possible donor before "other health concerns prevented the transplant".

Mayhew said Lomu was still on the waiting list and it was not possible to jump the queue in New Zealand.

Lomu, 28, has a rare kidney disorder, but has expressed a wish to return to rugby if a new organ can be found.

Professor Stephen Munn, director of Auckland hospital's liver transplant unit, has said it may be possible to protect the new kidney within Lomu's ribcage, which could grant the winger his wish.