Give Up, Jonah

Wednesday 3 Dec 2003
Ken Shirley
Press Releases -- Other

Rugby superstar Jonah Lomu should give up any idea of playing rugby again and become an ambassador for the sport, ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley said today.

"We all admired Jonah's special abilities on the rugby field, but his health is such that the time has arrived for him to say `enough'," former representative rugby player Mr Shirley said.

"Lomu has revealed that he has rejected a kidney transplant because playing rugby would risk damage to the transplanted organ. He is now having trouble walking because of his kidney disease.

"Jonah has done his time and hard yards as a player. Now we need him as a rugby ambassador - a role model - as someone who overcame adversity to win in the game of life.

"For your own sake Jonah, have the transplant and get on with your life. We will miss you on the rugby field, but you will be just as important spreading the good word about the game," Mr Shirley said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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