Jonah leaves on a wing and a prayer

Jonah Lomu

Nervous? Perhaps a little scared? "Nah, I'm just raring to go. D-Day has arrived and it's time to do the business."

That from giant winger Jonah Lomu a fortnight out from his comeback to top-level rugby after a kidney transplant 10 months ago.

Lomu left New Zealand for London on Friday to prepare for his return to rugby on June 4 against a Martin Johnson XV at Twickenham.

"I have prepared well for this. There's nothing more I could have done to get myself ready."

Lomu will line up alongside current and past greats including Ian Jones, Eric Rush, Carlos Spencer, Troy Flavell, Corne Krige and Toutai Kefu against the Johnson XV, which features French trio Imanol Harinordoquy, Tony Marsh and Raphael Ibanez. Former All Black coach John Hart will coach the Lomu XV.

The match will also double as a fundraiser for Kidney Kids of New Zealand, a charity organisation Lomu has devoted countless hours to.

Lomu, now 29, became the youngest All Black when he made his debut against France in 1994, aged 19 years and 45 days.

Despite being told of the possibility of kidney failure just before the 1995 World Cup, he went on to play almost nine years of top-level rugby, scoring 37 tries in 63 tests between 1994 and 2002. He now aims to get back into the All Black squad for the 2007 World Cup. Lomu said physically he was feeling good.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY