Front man Jonah will miss out on Games

Commonwealth Games organisers yesterday defended the use of Jonah Lomu as a promotional 'ambassador' - despite the All Black wing admitting he is almost certain to miss the Manchester showpiece.

Lomu had intended to take his place in the New Zealand team striving to regain the rugby Sevens title they won in Kuala Lumpur four years ago. But the event, which forms the finale to the Games in the City of Manchester Stadium, clashes with the All Blacks' TriNations Series showdown against Australia in Sydney on August 3.

Barring a spectacular and unprecedented slump in form, Lomu can expect to be selected by coach John Mitchell for the annual southern hemisphere contest, which would prevent any participation in the Games.

Yet, 27-year-old Lomu has remained a central figure in the Commonwealth promotion drive, helping to ensure the finals day of the Sevens is a 38,000 sell-out. Speaking in London yesterday at the launch of Virgin Trains as the official Games travel partner, Lomu acknowledged his chances of participating were remote, saying: 'The situation is that if I am selected for the All Blacks it's most likely I won't be playing. It is a shame if I don't make it, because it only comes around every four years and it's only the second time the Sevens has been in the Commonwealth Games. Winning gold at Kuala Lumpur was one of the greatest highlights of my career.

'It is going to be awesome and would have been something to look forward to. I have always made the Games organisers aware that my contract and arrangements with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union come first.' But last night a Games spokesman insisted: 'We don't know that Jonah won't take part because the New Zealand team has not yet been announced.'