Lomu looks fit for Harbour on Sunday

Jonah Lomu is poised to make his first appearance in the national championship for North Harbour against Wellington on Sunday.

Lomu damaged an ankle playing a club game for Massey on July 15. He has been confined to rest and recovery as North Harbour got their Air New Zealand Cup programme off to a strong start with three successive wins, over Tasman, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty.

But Harbour coach Allan Pollock confirmed last night that Lomu had trained well this week and provided all went well at tomorrow's final full training run, was set for a spot in the 22. If chosen, he was almost certain to be on the bench rather than in the starting XV.

The speedy Viliame Waqase-duadua and Rudi Wulf have been Harbour's wing men in the championship so far and have done well.

On Sunday Harbour will be without All Blacks Greg Rawlinson and Tony Woodcock in the pack and backline organiser Luke McAlister.

A win over the All Black-less Wellington will effectively ensure arriving in strong shape at the Top Six phase of the championship, for which points are carried over, especially as they have a banker final round robin opponent when Manawatu come to Albany.

Harbour's lineup will be named tomorrow.