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Auckland - All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu revealed Sunday he was facing the prospect of a second kidney transplant amid fears a donated organ he received in 2004 was failing.
The 36-year-old said he was undergoing daily dialysis after being admitted to Auckland Hospital's renal unit late last month when an illness he initially thought was a cold escalated into a life-threatening condition.
Lomu said he was preparing to attend a function earlier this month when "it just went pear shaped", leaving him hot, cold and shivering.
"I crashed," he told the New Zealand Women's Weekly magazine, in an exclusive interview for which he is believed to have received an undisclosed fee.
"My kidney was failing and my body had become so toxic it started to shut down."
Lomu's wife Nadene said the couple were awaiting the results of tests to find out if he needed another kidney transplant.
"They've said there's a very slim chance this kidney may survive," she said.
"So for now Jonah's having dialysis every day and a load of other treatments to see if it can be revived."
Lomu was diagnosed in 1995 with the rare kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome, and underwent a transplant in 2004, receiving an organ donated by New Zealand radio announcer Grant Kereama.
The former player, regarded as rugby union's first global superstar, has been based in France in recent times but returned to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, where he played a part in the opening ceremony on September 9.
He said he still hoped to attend the final at Auckland's Eden Park on October 23.
"My kidney needs a rest, then it needs to wake up and start working," he said. "It needs to fight."
Lomu rose to prominence with his devastating wing play in the 1995 World Cup and also played a major part in New Zealand's 1999 campaign. He still holds the record for most tries at the Rugby World Cup, with 15 five-pointers.
However, his illness eventually cut short his playing career.
Since he was admitted to hospital on September 23, the giant winger has received emotional messages of support from the current All Blacks' squad and Prime Minister John Key.
New Zealand players and support staff gathered after team training last week to hold up letters reading "Get Well Jonah - Kia Kaha (Be Strong)", with hooker Keven Mealamu saying Lomu had helped shape the All Blacks' ethos.
"It's sad to see a man like that the way he is at the moment, so we're really hoping for him to get well quickly," Mealamu told reporters.
