New Zealand rugby legend faces marriage troubles

Former All Black Jonah Lomu and his wife Fiona have are going through a temporary marital separation.

Lomu, who played for the New Zealand rugby team from 1994 to 2002, and his spouse are spending time apart as they seek to deal with "challenges" in their marriage, but have asserted that they are not going to make the split permanent.

In a written statement Lomu's spokeswoman revealed that media pressure had resulted in the couple confirming rumours about their marital problems.

Bridget Abernethy said: "This is a very personal issue, and one they had hoped to be able to work through privately. It is a very difficult time for them, and they ask the media and public to respect their need for privacy.

"They felt they had no choice but to make a statement so friends and family around the world would hear it from them first.

"They, like any other couple, experience personal challenges and they are taking time out from one another to work through these. They want to be clear that their marriage has not ended."

Lomu, 34, and Fiona have been married for five years.

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