Neil Francis’ article has caused much debate.

While Irish rugby writer, Neil Francis, is no stranger to controversy, he is one of the few commentators who consistently highlights the issue of doping in rugby. It was therefore interesting to read his article relating to the passing of Jonah Lomu in the Irish Independent.

While Francis acknowledges the risks involved in someone with chronic kidney disease availing of long haul flights and moving to London for the duration of the World Cup, he also attributes the Nephrotic Syndrome with which Lomu was suffering to the taking of Creatine.

In the mid-’90s when Creatine became the new wonder supplement, it was embraced by New Zealand rugby. Without engaging in a systematic supplementation programme, the Kiwis at provincial level actively promoted and recommended the product.

Indeed Francis points out that one of Lomu’s team mates, Joely Vidiri, also suffers from Nephrotic Syndrome and underlines the connection between Creatine and the illness by informing reader that,

Alonso Mourning, a basketball player with the New Jersey Nets and a member of the American dream team in the ’90s, was a big user of Creatine and his doctors went on record as saying that it was a major contributory factor in his acquiring Nephrotic Syndrome.

However while both Vidiri and Mourning admitted to consuming large quantities of Creatine, Lomu did not. Nonetheless Francis wrote,

Alonso Mourning, a basketball player with the New Jersey Nets and a member of the American dream team in the ’90s, was a big user of Creatine and his doctors went on record as saying that it was a major contributory factor in his acquiring Nephrotic Syndrome.

While the article is an interesting read and once more highlights the necessity for legislators to regulate the distribution and consumption of Creatine, it lacks the evidence to directly attribute Jonah Lomu’s death with him taking Creatine.

Alan Drumm, Pundit Arena

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