Abu Dhabi: Jonah Lomu, the legendary New Zealand All Blacks winger and all-time leading Rugby World Cup try scorer, has been invited to take in next week's Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Motorsport-mad Lomu and his wife Nadene will attend the lavish, red carpet Chequered Flag Ball at the new, five-star St Regis Saadiyat Island on November 11, as well as official qualifying and Grand Prix race day on November 12 and 13 as an Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) guest.
"I've never been to Abu Dhabi before, but I've heard great things about the place and some of the events coming up, like the Formula One Grand Prix and the Volvo Ocean Race, have certainly got my attention," said Lomu.
"I can't wait to tick it off my to-do list and from what I've seen and heard it's a beautiful place. I love the heat and outdoor living, so Abu Dhabi looks like a fantastic place to live and visit."
Despite the distinctly sporting edge to Abu Dhabi's third Grand Prix weekend, Lomu insisted romance will be in the air. "We'll be leaving the kids at home to take some time out for ourselves — it will be a bit of a romantic break, both Nadene and I love that part of the world. And the Yas Marina Circuit track looks amazing with the sun going down and it's going to be great to see how the drivers deal with the light — there will be some battles I'm sure.
"It might be a battle ground for the drivers — but I think it's a bit of a romantic setting as well," he added.
Ahead of his first trip to the emirate, the 6ft 5in winger — a losing finalist in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in South Africa — reveals he expects two-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to make it three wins out of three in Abu Dhabi.
"I'm an absolute car fiend and I've always loved Formula One," said the 63-capped All Black. "Everyone will want to win, but you can't look past Vettel at the moment."
