A bit of Kereama takes to the field with Lomu

Jonah Lomu

LONDON - A little bit of Grant Kereama took to the field at Twickenham this morning, while the rest of him sat proudly in the stands.

The man who put his body on the gurney for Jonah Lomu spoke of his admiration at seeing his mate running on to the hallowed turf against the Martin Johnson XV.

Johnson's team snatched a last gasp 33-29 victory over Jonah Lomu's XV with a try in the last few minutes.

Jonah marked his comeback from a kidney transplant with a first-half try however the former All Black needed some generosity from the match officials after his leg appeared to be in touch and he also hit the corner flag before dotting down. Lomu was forced to sit out the second half after dislocating his shoulder early in the match.

Coach of the Lomu XV, John Hart, said it was a big effort from Lomu and he was pleased to see him on the field.  Hart said the crowd really appreciated seeing him play again.

He believed there would be bigger and better things from Lomu in the future.

Kereama, the Wellington radio DJ who donated his kidney to make Lomu's return possible, said he was proud and excited for his mate and pleased Lomu was now living out his dream. "I was here to support him and I just wish him the best for the future.

Lomu told the Herald on Sunday: "It's a fantastic thing he's done and I will forever be in his debt. It was comforting to have him here."

Kereama's wife and fellow 91ZM DJ, Polly Gillespie, said Lomu was a "great friend" and she and her husband wanted to be by his side as he began his new journey.

Given what he had been through over the past two years, Lomu's comeback to competitive rugby was an extraordinary story, she said. "We are just so excited and proud of him. The emotions just well up talking about it."

Gillespie said she had never felt nervous for Lomu because she knew he had the drive, courage, ambition and determination needed to make it back to the top of his sport.

With this morning's match over, Lomu returns to New Zealand and a new focus on club rugby with Massey, then the NPC with North Harbour. His ultimate dream remains the 2007 World Cup.

Despite Kereama and Gillespie being in London, there was one special person missing - his mum.

A rift between Lomu and his father, Semisi, meant Lomu's mother, Hepi, wasn't able to be in London with her son for his eagerly awaited return to competitive rugby.

Last year, Lomu lifted the lid on his private life in a biography which revealed how he rose from a brutal childhood to be an international sporting icon.

The book detailed Lomu's difficult upbringing, and how as a 15-year-old he had snapped and thrown his father - who had been drinking - across the room. He has not lived with his parents since.

"She would have liked to have been here, but there is still a rift in the family," said Lomu. "Me and mum are still very close, always will be. She is always there with me. I carry her in my heart."

And Kereama in his ribcage.

* Stephen Cook is in the UK courtesy of Emirates.

- additional reporting Newstalk ZB