All Blacks urge Lomu to 'stay strong'

The All Blacks have urged former New Zealand great Jonah Lomu to "stay strong" in his ongoing battle with kidney problems.

A team spokesman said the players gathered at training in Wellington for a group photo bearing the message "kia kaha", or stay strong, in support of the former wing, who has been admitted to a renal and liver transplant ward in Auckland.

All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu said it was simply "a nice message from the boys to hope he gets well quickly.

"I think being a fellow All Black we just want him to get better. He’s been a big part of the All Blacks in the past and is probably a big part of what it is today," Mealamu told a press conference at the team hotel.

"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."

Lomu was diagnosed with a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome in 1995, after starring at the Rugby World Cup in South Africa.

He received a kidney transplant in 2004 and appeared at the RWC 2011 opening ceremony as the hero of rugby for junior players.