Rugby League: Lomu opts out of tour

SYDNEY - Frontrower Andrew Lomu has pulled out of the Kiwis' tour of Britain and France to have a shoulder reconstruction.

Lomu played in the Sydney Roosters' NRL grand final victory over the New Zealand Warriors, and then made his test debut in the Kiwis' loss to Australia in Wellington last weekend.

Roosters chief executive Bernie Gurr said the prop had been carrying the injury for most of the season.

Lomu joins regular test skipper Nathan Cayless and centre Willie Talau on the list of Kiwis unavailable for the three-test series against Great Britain because of end-of-season surgery.

Joe Vagana of the Bradford Bulls is tipped to replace Lomu.

- NZPA