Jonah to play NPC for Harbour.

[ozbash]

Jonah Lomu is tipped to sign with North Harbour for the Air New Zealand NPC as he takes another major step in his rugby comeback.

The New Zealand Herald reported the deal could be confirmed as early as Friday.

Lomu has played his previous NPC rugby with Counties-Manukau and, more recently, Wellington.

But wanting to remain in Auckland has seen him weigh up his prospects in the three major unions in the area.

Second division Counties-Manukau have an uncertain future in the revamped NPC Premier League which will be introduced next year.

Auckland has an abundance of outside back talent including All Blacks wings Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett.

North Harbour have glaring absences in the wings department following the off-season departures of All Blacks wing Rico Gear to Nelson Bays and his brother Hosea to Wellington.

Lomu's signing with North Harbour would make him available for the Blues where he started his Super 12 campaign by winning two titles in 1996 and 1997.

Lomu is in heavy training as he prepares for his comeback in the Martin Johnson testimonial match in London on June 4.

Lomu's ongoing kidney problems intensified in 2003 when he was forced out of the Rebel Sport Super 12 with the Hurricanes.

He eventually had a kidney transplant last July and is set to make a remarkable return.

pinched off xtra

 

[bayrep]

It will be interesting to see how he goes. Well done NH in scoring his services it will pull in the fans if nothing else.

 

[playdaball]

I'll drive over the Bridge to watch NH play.

IMO Jonah was / is the greatest attacking RU/RL player ever. On his day - unstoppable.

 

[ThrashViking]

So is Harbour still in financial trouble or not? Buying Lomu is a big risk.

 

[AliN]

So is Harbour still in financial trouble or not? Buying Lomu is a big risk.

or major money coming their way..

Good on him for giving things a go, can't wait to see the first game.

 

[ThrashViking]

For a province that cried and cried and cried and cried that the big four was stealing there precious talent because of a lack of money signing a huge marketing tool like Jonah is a rather intresting move seeing as he might not even be good or fit enough to play.

 

[Corbin]

I hope they tevelise a game of NH playing here in AUS

 

[Mulch]

I heard they are trying to sign Ex-All Black Fullback Glen Osborne too.

 

[playdaball]

I think they already have OZ plus that ex Tongan flanker from Counties/Chiefs - Takolo Kino (sp)