NST Online: Sports

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 07:11 PM PDT

AUCKLAND: All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu is "in really bad shape" as he battles kidney problems in an Auckland hospital, it was reported yesterday.

Lomu, who suffers from a rare kidney condition, was admitted to Auckland Hospital's renal unit last week suffering from an undisclosed illness.

The hospital and Lomu's representatives have released no official word on his condition but the Dominion Post yesterday quoted unnamed sources close to the 36-year-old as saying there were fears major complications had set in.

The source described Lomu as "seriously ill".

Lomu, who played a starring role in the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony on Sept 9, was diagnosed in 1995 with the rare kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome, which causes fatigue, weakness and kidney failure over the long term.

The devastating winger still ignited the 1995 and 1999 World Cups, becoming rugby union's first global superstar, but the illness eventually cut short his playing career.

He underwent a kidney transplant in 2004, receiving an organ donated by New Zealand radio announcer Grant Kereama.

The extent of Lomu's health woes have been kept under wraps after his management reportedly signed an exclusive deal with a women's magazine for the story of his illness.

His former All Blacks teammate Kees Meeuws urged Lomu to tell fans about his condition yesterday, complaining to TVNZ that they were being kept in the dark. -- AFP

Beardies, golfers and normal Russians

Posted: 30 Sep 2011 07:11 PM PDT

AUCKLAND: Canada flanker Adam Kleeberger's hirsute fashion statement has caught on among the crowds at the World Cup, something captain Pat Riordan described as "awesome".

Kleeberger sports a huge beard, fake ones of which have been worn by increasing numbers of Canada fans, who often also don costumes like lumberjacks or mounties, the red-liveried mounted policemen.

"The beards are pretty popular," said Riordan, himself clean-shaven.

"I couldn't believe it getting off the plane in Napier, there were little kids and old ladies who had the beards on. The bus driver had a beard on. So someone's doing well there."

They love their golf in Ireland and the Emerald Isle boasts some of the world's best players in reigning US Open title-holder Rory McIlroy, last year's winner Graeme McDowell and 2011 British Open champion Darren Clarke.

But it seems the trio's standards of sportsmanship and, less surprisingly, skill were not maintained by the Ireland rugby team when they enjoyed a day off from training at the St Clair golf course on Thursday ahead of this weekend's crunch World Cup clash against Italy in Dunedin tomorrow.

According to the Otago Daily Times, one of the best golfers on show was Ireland manager Paul McNaughton who was nevertheless subjected to a "slow hand clap and heckled as he prepared to drive" by the players. Shame.

Russia's Australian-born lock Adam Byrnes has been impressed with the hardnosed attitude displayed by his new teammates from eastern Europe which he says compares favourably with the more privileged Super-15 and European Cup stars.

Byrnes should know having previously played for the current provincial champions in each hemisphere before joining Russia in their World Cup debut.

"There is a massive difference in attitude. They just shut up and get on with it. Basically, there is no complaining," said Byrnes, whose maternal grandparents were born in the Soviet Union. -- AFP

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Jumaat, 30 September 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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