Lomu on the mend ahead of schedule

JONAH LOMU is recovering from a serious kidney disorder faster than even he expected, the Auckland Sunday Star Times reported yesterday.

The once unstoppable All Black winger revealed in January that he was quitting rugby for at least six months as he was suffering from nephrotic syndrome which causes chronic kidney damage.

Lomu, who is being treated with a range of powerful drugs, said: "Actually, I'm doing a lot better than I thought I was going to. The doctors said there would be a lot of side effects, but the side effects don't seem to affect me.

"I'm feeling better than ever actually. I am getting up in the mornings and I'm finding I've got so much energy. The body is feeling great."

He has kept his fitness up and recently tested his speed: "I found out I was a lot quicker than I have ever been before quicker even than before the World Cup and stronger than I've ever been in my life. I can definitely tell the difference."

Doctors suspect Lomu may have suffered the condition for a long before it was diagnosed.