Crucial session for Lomu

Jonah Lomu could make his much awaited comeback to New Zealand rugby within the next week, either for North Harbour in a match against Manu Samoa next Wednesday night or for his club side, Massey, this weekend.

Harbour representative coach Allan Pollock yesterday named Lomu in a 27-man squad to prepare for the match against Samoa at Albany.

Asked if this meant Lomu might take the field, Pollock said it was "more than possible".

He said Lomu's shoulder, injured in the Martin Johnson farewell match at Twickenham 10 days ago and which forced him from the field at halftime, appeared to be on the mend.

"It's sore but what rugby player hasn't got something sore at this time of the season."

What role, if any, Lomu has against Samoa will be determined by a training run today. And should he come through that it was possible, said Pollock, he might have some sort of run for Massey, who play Harbours' second-placed side Takapuna at Moire Park on Saturday.

"Jonah's there or thereabouts at the moment," Pollock said. "The more rugby he can get the better."

As well as the match against Samoa, Harbour have two other warmup matches before the start of the NPC: Northland (July 26) and Waikato (August 6).

And there are six rounds left in the club championship which Massey, last year's premier side, lead by a comfortable margin.

Among the high-profile players missing next week's game are the injured Rudi Wulf, Highlanders Super 12 player Anthony Tuitavake, All Black prop Tony Woodcock and New Zealand Junior Luke McAlister.

Hooker Joe Ward might also be unavailable after being ordered off in last weekend's club matches.