Former All Blacks superstar Jonah Lomu made his return to rugby union on Sunday playing for the French third division side Marseille-Vitrolles in their 63-18 romp over Montmelian.

The 34-year-old - who exploded onto the international stage at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa only for a kidney illness which required a 2004 transplant to halt his progress - failed to score and admitted certain language difficulties had hindered his ability to contribute.

"It was a little difficult to understand my team-mates who were talking very fast in French," opined Lomu, who won 63 caps for his country and had a season with Cardiff in 2005-2006 before returning home to North Harbour.

"I asked them to speak a little less quickly. I have to gain in confidence, and to communicate better with them. I did feel a bit lost on the pitch at times."

Lomu - whose wife and son watched him play from the stands - may not have scored but his impact on the club was evident from the fact that match attracted a record crowd of 2,500 spectators.

Club president Claude Atcher revealed that Lomu had not been able to relax ahead of his much-awaited comeback which saw the match attended by as many as 15 photographers and it was shown live on cable television.

"Jonah is very tense, much more so than he normally is," explained Atcher.

"This is more than a rugby match, it is more about sickness and life."

Lomu for his part said it was just the beginning of what he hopes will be several pleasurable years in Marseille.

"This was the first match, I was not expecting a miracle," he said.

"My welcome was extraordinary, as much from the public as from my team-mates.

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