WHEN Jonah Lomu flattened the entire England defence after two minutes of the 1995 World Cup semi final, the only word for him was invincible. Yet on that day in Cape Town 18 months ago, the giant All Black wing was probably already suffering from the serious kidney disorder that will keep him out of rugby for at least the next six months.

Yesterday Lomu, who is 21, called a press conference in Auckland to tell the world that he is suffering from nephrotic syndrome, which reduces the ability of the kidneys to do their job of filtering and disposal.

"I lose a lot of the goodness that is in my body through my kidneys and it's not holding," he said. "It's making me tired a lot and I have to work a little harder to try and keep where I am."

Lomu told reporters that the six month treatment programme will involve an intensive course of daily injections and tablets. The medication would prevent him from passing random drug tests during the period of treatment.

At 20 years old, 6ft 5in and 18 stones, the Tonga born prodigy changed rugby's idea of what strength, power and speed could achieve. Yet in recent months, his performances have been criticised. "I hope that some of them may now sit back and reflect that he's a guy who has shown tremendous courage to try and continue to play while he's had this problem," New Zealand coach John Hart said.