Jonah Lomu is in Marseille!

[O'Rothlain]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Jonah Lomu pictured during his first training session with French third division side Marseille Vitrolles, Vitrolles, France, November 5, 2009
http://www.scrum.com/francetop14/rugby/image/104945.html[/b]

So he's back on a team...to be exact he's now playing with Marseille Vitrolles in the French D3. I know we talked about this happening, but now that it has, I thought I'd get the conversation rolling. I'm sure all eyes will be on him.
He played briefly with Cardiff Blues a few years back and I never quite understood why he quit. He should help bring in a crowd at least. Anyone, especially those in NZ, know what his performance is like now? I know he's played in some charity matches, etc...

 

[Olyy]

Seems strange to see arguably one of the greatest players ever playing for a D3 side, but i suppose with the amount of time he's had out of the game, and with illness and injury, he's not going to get straight back into top flight.
Hopefully he'll do well down there

 

[darwin_23]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (O'Rothlain @ Nov 6 2009, 05:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

So he's back on a team...to be exact he's now playing with Marseille Vitrolles in the French D3. I know we talked about this happening, but now that it has, I thought I'd get the conversation rolling. I'm sure all eyes will be on him.
He played briefly with Cardiff Blues a few years back and I never quite understood why he quit. He should help bring in a crowd at least. Anyone, especially those in NZ, know what his performance is like now? I know he's played in some charity matches, etc...[/b]

No idea what shape his is rugby wise, but he has been body-building here in NZ so his body is in pretty good shape. He claims to be at 116kg (his playing weight ranged from about 116-121), deadlifting 300kg, and running 100m in 10.9s - personally I'm skeptecal about the 100m time, as since his comeback he has looked painfully slow at times. I wish the big guy the best of luck, but as you say no matter how he plays he is sure to draw in the crowds!

 

[bates]

He doesn't look that good, a while ago he entered a bodybuilding comp where he actually looked happy.
Well I whish him all the best.

 

[Gavin]

I actually think he might do quite well. Definately going to keep an eye on how he gets on. Does anyone know if any of the D3 matches will be online somewhere? Even highlights?

 

[jawmalawm24]

It'll be awesome to see him play again he won't be at his best but even if he can manage half of what he use to do I'm sure he'll please the crowds. Last time I heard he was gonna play Anz Cup last season for Counties I think but that never went through. Best of luck to him hope to see him create some more lasting memories for all us Rugby fans.

 

[danger]

I read somewhere that hes in the best shape of his life bar none

He said that he has never been at 100 percent before, and that even in 1995 his legs used to ache and tire out easily he thought it was normal because he was used to it. But it came out that it was because his kidneys were playing up and now for the first time in his life he isnt being hampered.

Apparently hes down to a weight he hasn't been at since he was 18 and is running the 100m in 10.9.

I really hope it isnt just a media hype up, i miss watching him slaughter europeans

 

[Nickdnz]

Yeah, I have heard he is now doing amazingly. I recently had a conversation with him which was amazing, this was before he had agreed to join the french club, and he said he was getting intp lifting weights that he didn't used to be able to. That being said I believe his speed has to have taken a hit. For some reason I would be more happy if they played him where his speed wasn't such an important part of his game, but strength was, maybe #8. At the body building comp, he seemed to be in good shape for a person, but not yet at a top body builders level, which can be expected at only 1 year in the sport. I have heard he can run 10.9, but I doubt it. In a recent interview he has said he was feeling much better then when he was plahying in Cardiff, and he believes that he can be ready for full flight rugby. Another interview said he was beginning to .

Lomu at Body building comp - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3p1sggDOOY
Lomu on his return to Rugby - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0UHwpqMy6w

 

[jawmalawm24]

Anyone remember this Jonah Lomu vs Marika Vunibaka Npc 2000 Final Wellington Lions vs Canterbury.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IHvHmyEE90

Hope we get to see a little bit of this when he plays for Marseille.

 

[candybum]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jawmalawm24 @ Nov 6 2009, 06:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Anyone remember this Jonah Lomu vs Marika Vunibaka Npc 2000 Final Wellington Lions vs Canterbury.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IHvHmyEE90

Hope we get to see a little bit of this when he plays for Marseille.[/b]

Aw that was brilliant! I've been looking for footage of that try for a while! He was magnificent!

He will do well in Marseille!

 

[jawmalawm24]

Yeah I been looking for this video for ages too but it's only been up for a month. Too bad about the flickering but dude must of been recording it with a digital camera or something. Aaron Cruden sitting there probably thinking gees I would of only been 10 when that happened lol.

To be honest I don't remember it like this I thought Vunibaka came at him twice than fell off but the second time round he gets taken for a ride and Jonah scores as if there was no one hanging on trying to tackle him.