BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | Marshall backs Lomu return



By Bryn Palmer BBC Sport Online

New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall has backed Jonah Lomu to recover his form and regain his place in the All Blacks team.

The giant wing legend was conspicuous by his absence from the 22 to face Australia in Saturday's Tri Nations encounter in Sydney.

Marshall admits the omission of Lomu as the All Blacks attempt to regain the Bledisloe Cup at Stadium Australia has shocked many observers.

But the Canterbury half-back insists the New Zealand selectors have merely given a vote of confidence to those who defeated the Wallabies in Christchurch three weeks ago.

Wallabies unchanged for All Blacks

Lomu was left out of the Tri Nations opener before being recalled to the bench for the victory over South Africa in Welllington.

We appreciate the magnitude of Jonah being left out of the team

Justin Marshall

"It is just a matter of the right balance," Marshall told BBC Sport Online.

"Jonah wasn't part of the side the last time we played Australia, and it worked out OK for us that day.

"The selectors have just stuck with the side that has performed well in the last two games."

All Blacks coach John Mitchell has opted for the versatile Leon MacDonald in Lomu's place on the bench after the Crusaders full-back's recovery from a head injury.

"Leon was in great form before he got injured and I think they were keen to get him back involved," Marshall said. "Unfortunately it had to be at the expense of somebody.

Caleb Ralph spins out a pass against South Africa
Ralph (front) has taken Lomu's No 11 jersey

"We appreciate the magnitude of Jonah being left out of the team because he is such a huge icon and a stand-out figure in the game.

"When he is missing it always raises eyebrows because people love to see him.

"But I am sure he will be back. He is coming with us to South Africa (for the next Tri Nations fixture on 10 August) and you never know what may happen over there.

"It is important for him to get back on the field and back in form, but the selectors have gone for the team that did the job last time."

Hours after his omission from the squad, Lomu revealed he continues to be affected by a chronic kidney ailment.

The 27-year-old, who has 60 Test caps, was forced to take a lengthy break from rugby when originally diagnosed with the problem.

Once you know you are not playing, you just take it on the chin

Jonah Lomu

Lomu said he had suffered health problems relating to his condition during this year's Super 12 campaign.

"Sometimes you wake up and half your body's swollen," he explained, adding that the kidney problem has "never gone away".

But refused to use it as an excuse for losing his treasured place in the All Blacks starting line-up to Canterbury's Caleb Ralph.

"It's disappointing, but the players they've got out there now are the team that should do the job," Lomu added.

Lomu admitted he will find it hard watching from the stands at Stadium Australia, where two years ago his last-gasp winning try sealed victory in one of the greatest games ever.

"It will be really hard to watch, but once you're prepared for that, once you know you are not going to be playing, you just take it on the chin," he added.


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