Lomu had a kidney transplant in July

The giant winger, who is recovering from a kidney transplant, scored 37 tries in 63 Tests between 1994-2002.

He said: "I'm still some way off playing, but hopefully this time next year I will be pulling on a jersey.

"It would be great to wear the All Blacks shirt again and help them win the 2007 World Cup."

The 29-year-old added: "It would be the pinnacle of my career and it's something I've always dreamed of.

"Everything is on target health-wise and I have been doing some boxing, kick-boxing and a lot of running."

If you have the desire and hunger to do something you can succeed - retiring has never entered my mind Jonah Lomu

Lomu, who was in Rome to receive awards from the Italian Rugby Federation, insisted he has never considered retiring, despite his lengthy battle with illness.

"I'm still a young man," he said. "To put things into perspective, Frank Bunce became an All Black at the age of 29 and went on to play many matches.

"That shows you that if you have the desire and hunger to do something you can succeed. Retiring has never entered my mind."

Thorne back in All Blacks squad for Italy tie

Lomu was the youngest All Blacks Test player at 19 years 45 days when he won his first cap in 1994.

He was first diagnosed with kidney problems in 1995, the year he took the rugby world by storm at the World Cup in South Africa.

He then starred at the 1999 World Cup in Great Britain, scoring two tries in the semi-final defeat to France.

Lomu continued playing for the national team until 2002, when his health deteriorated. By the time of the 2003 World Cup in Australia, he had been reduced to a painful shuffle.