Lomu: "I just want to be one of the boys..."
Lomu
By Andrew Collins
November 17 2005
Jonah Lomu today spoke out about his first day in a Blues shirt and how his new team mates made him feel welcome. The Kiwi is back in training and is keen to make his long awaited return to rugby with the Blues.
Jonah Lomu may be the biggest name signing in the Celtic League, but he insists he just wants to be 'One of the boys'.
Speaking today he said,
"I expect being the new boy I will be the target for most of the practical jokes. I've already been given a hard time for wearing tights in training. The boys made me feel very welcome, like i had been with the Blues for a long time."
As ArmsPark.tk reported yesterday, Lomu took part in his first training session since his arrival. He said,
"When i went to training on Monday morning I thought I was just going to be shown around the facillities, but they wanted me to get straight into it."
And he admits he's already made a new friend,
"I was paired up with (Blues captain) Rhys Williams - He's a funny guy. I got a great vibe from it all."
As for the injurys and lack of game time, he spoke freely about how he feels in terms of fitness,
"The body is good. I am feeling better and better and more comfortable all the time. I'll spend the next few weeks trying to get used to the patters of the team and learn the moves."
Lomu has been the talk of the town since the announcement that he was due to be Blue, with Cardiff making headlines on national news throught Brittain. And with so much hype surrounding a player who has been out of the game for such a long time, he's just hoping he can do enough to please his team mates and coaches.
"The only thing that will bother me here is if i do not live up to the expectations i set for myself and the expectations of the team. I know i have no right to be in the 22 and i will be there for the team even if i am sitting on the bench or am not included at all."
Jonah was criticsed by some local newspapers (suprise, suprise) for what was considdered a lack of commitment to Cardiff, with some even suggesting he only signed as he liked the name 'Blues'. But his lastest press conference shut up a lot of the bad mouthers and showed Jonah as the true proffessional and nice bloke that he is.
So Lomu has well and truely landed at long last. Following a long wait for his arrival, fans can now just sit back and wait some more until December 17th, when he makes his home, and whats expected to be his full, debut in a Cardiff shirt.
Lomu has also hit the headlines today when he backed his countrymen to complete the 'Grand Slam' with wins over England and Scotland in the nest two weeks.
"I don't think they'll slip up and this side is going to get better, the coaches are keeping everyone on their toes. Who'd have thought a player like Joe Rokocoko would have been sent to play sevens earlier this year?"
New Zealand have made 8 changes to the side that beat Ireland comprehensively last weekend.
Also, congratulations to back row Andy Powell on his call up to the wales squad this week. He's not expected to make the team or even bench for this weeks match, but its a minor victory for the man whose produced such fine form since his Strady switch this season! Well done Andy, you deserve it!