Lomus choose France, not NZ

Don't be surprised if you see a Lomu in a French jersey at the 2031 Rugby World Cup.

The late Jonah Lomu's young sons Dhyreille and Brayley are in Europe supporting France in their bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. And the pair made a startling admission to French Newspaper Le Parisien. They'd choose to play for France over the All Blacks.

Asked by Le Parisien if they were ready to become All Blacks in future, they replied in unison: "No, we want to play for France." Not what you want to hear from the young sons of one of our greatest All Black wingers, is it?

Dhyreille Lomu was born in France during his father's brief stint playing for Marseille, hence any eligibility discussions wouldn't be an issue.

Dhyreille and brother Brayley Lomu made the journey to London as the French union presented its bid to host the 2023 World Cup, along with rival bidders South Africa and Ireland.

According to legendary French flanker Sebastien Chabal, the pair were on hand to back the bid because they'd love to head to their second home for a World Cup experience in six years' time.

Chabal explained that Dhyreille Lomu was born in France, "And as he told us earlier, quite simply, he's known as the Frenchie at home," Chabal told the Mirror.

"And Jonah Lomu loves France, that's where they saw their daddy playing rugby. Today I speak in their name.

"They said they would love to come back in 2023 to experience the World Cup in the country where their father was so happy.

"I'll leave it up to them to decide which jersey they will wear, blue or black, but they are very proud of this dual nationality, this dual identity and that's why they're with us today."

Lomu's stint in France came towards the end of his career, which also included a stint with the Cardiff Blues in Europe.

Lomu died in November 2015.

Nadene Lomu, who travelled with her boys to France and London, told Le Parisien the idea for their appearance came from Claude Atcher, the director of the French bid and a man well known to Lomu during his time in Marseille.

"They were very excited," Nadene Lomu said of the boys when the idea of the trip came about.

"For us, France is our second home. Dhyreille was born in Marseille. He tells everyone that he is French. Jonah loved this country very much and we feel good about it."

The Mirror reported that French rugby federation president Bernard Laporte hailed the appearance, saying it was "very good of them" to travel from New Zealand.

While the Lomu boys are backing the French bid, president Emmanuel Macron has apparently distanced himself from any World Cup bid and declined to provide video support for their presentation to World Rugby.

 

Photo by: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS (Caption: Sebastien Chabal appears with Brayley and Dhyreille Lomu, the sons of late All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu)