Water spiced with splash of well-heeded Lomu advice

Jonah Lomu has been a big contributor at Harbour training. Picture / Kenny Rodger

North Harbour might be the only rugby team on the planet who could turn to their water boy for a word of advice on the eve of the big game at Eden Park tonight.

And Jonah Lomu will tell them to believe in themselves.

Lomu, sidelined by a shoulder injury suffered in his comeback game at Twickenham in June, has been training with North Harbour and running the line with the water bottles during the NPC.

He has not been surprised by their progress to the last four and tonight's semifinal squareoff with Auckland. He likes what he's seen and reckons they're a good chance of making the final for just the second time in their 20-year history.

"They have to trust themselves and back themselves," Lomu said. "The teams that win are the teams that take their opportunities, and it will come down to who makes the least mistakes. That's what football is all about."

Several Harbour players reckon they made the mistake of being over-confident when they were well-beaten by Auckland in the opening round at Albany on August 13. Lomu is sure that won't happen tonight.

"They know they've got a tough challenge because they know what Auckland can deliver on the day.

"But I've got to back the Harbour boys. I believe in what they've got and what they can deliver. In saying that, it all comes down to how they turn up on the day."

Lomu has been a sounding board for players and coaching staff during his enforced absence. When the 30-year-old speaks, the players, particularly the younger ones, tend to listen, given his status in the game, not to mention the accumulated wisdom of having played 63 tests and been in plenty of tough spots.

"They've matured with each game. Their work ethics are great. They've taken ownership of their positions, and the results have shown on the board."

Given the choice, he'd rather be playing, but Lomu has enjoyed a different rugby challenge this season.

"It's part of rugby. If you're injured, you do what you can for the team. Any way I can help the guys, whether it's facing them in opposition at training or if they need feedback on certain things, I'm there to help. Just being round these guys has been great for me."

You'll see him tonight, the big bloke prowling the sideline at Eden Park, in his words "screaming my head off", keeping the water bottles full and wishing he was out there with his mates.