Jonah Lomu has turned his back on a host of lucrative offers from British clubs to settle some unfinished business with the All Blacks. The giant wing has signed a two-year contract with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.
Lomu's decision is a big disappointment to teams such as Bristol who were chasing his signature, and he admitted New Zealand's semi-final defeat by France in the World Cup played a large part in his thinking.
"It had a lot of influence on my decision because financially it was around the other way," Lomu said.
"What tipped the scales was what was going to make Jonah Lomu happy - and that is playing for New Zealand.
"It is unfinished business for us now, a lot of the players who played at the World Cup know it is unfinished business.
"For me personally I want to give back something to New Zealand rugby and I really want to play for the All Blacks again."
If France had not bundled New Zealand out of the cup, 43-31 at Twickenham, Lomu said he may have opted for a more lucrative playing deal with either a union or league club in Britain. Apart from Bristol, London Irish were also interested as were Super League club Wakefield.
"I don't know if it might have been different if we had won the World Cup," he added.
"It might have been, it might not have been. The All Blacks are a big part of my life."
Had Lomu signed with a British club his international career would have over as the NZRFU's policy dictates All Blacks must play domestic rugby in New Zealand.
Lomu said his desire to play in the black jersey eventually swayed his decision not to leave New Zealand.
"Why New Zealand? You could say it is the silver fern, once you've had a taste of it you want more," he said.
"I've had six seasons of it, though some of it is on and off, I still want to taste it and that is what tipped the scales. That is what it is about."
Lomu has a contract through to the end of 2001 and he has the option of two more years that could see him playing at a third World Cup in 2003.
Bristol's director of rugby Bob Dwyer said: "There is no greater privilege for a player than to play for his country, and we completely respect Jonah's decision to remain with the All Blacks. He believes there is still a job for him to do for New Zealand rugby, and that's to win a World Cup.
"His agent thanked us for the way we have conducted negotiations and confirmed that Jonah's final decision was between Bristol and New Zealand, which says a lot about our standing."
Lomu's decision saves Bristol a headache. Now that the World Cup is over clubs are only allowed to name two overseas players in each 22-man squad, and Bristol already have Argentine scrum-half Agustin Pichot and Springbok out-half Henry Honiball plus Canada's Al Charron and Fiji-born Hong Kong international Luke Nabaro.
Bristol chief executive Nick de Scossa said: "Naturally we're disappointed, but we're pleased that our offer was only beaten by an All Blacks contract.
"Who knows what might happen in the future?" Lomu is expected to play for Counties-Manukau in domestic competition and to make himself available for the Wellington-based Hurricanes in next year's Super 12 competition.
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