Eden Park to host Lomu farewell

It was the scene of some of Jonah Lomu's most breathtaking on-field moments.

And on Monday, Eden Park will be the setting for an emotional public farewell.

The Government has announced plans for a public service from 1pm to 3pm at the hallowed sports stadium to celebrate the life of the famous number 11.

It emerged yesterday that Lomu died from a blood clot on his lung, possibly as a result of his long-haul flight home from the UK. Former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew told the BBC Lomu would have felt little pain when he died suddenly last week.

"We think the most likely cause was a clot on the lung which can be a complication of long-distance travel," Dr Mayhew said. "Jonah was at greater risk of that happening because of his renal condition."

Announcing Monday's commemorations, Prime Minister John Key said the rugby great had touched people's lives across the country and around the world.

"This service will be open to all members of the public who want to remember the significant contribution Jonah made, not only to rugby here and overseas, but also to the wider community through his work with charities such as Unicef and Kidney Kids NZ.

"The service will be a celebration of Jonah's life and I expect a large number of people will want to be there."

Members of Lomu's grieving family fronted the media yesterday evening outside his Epsom home.

Spokesman John Hart said the family were still struggling and on Sunday night had a visit from up to 40 past and present All Blacks players and coaches.

"Nadene, I think, has come through a period of shock and is now starting to get more balance about what's happening. It's been a very difficult time for her and the children," Hart said.

The family were extremely grateful that the Government has suggested a memorial service at Eden Park.

"This is a great way for us to celebrate the life of Jonah," Mr Hart said.

A separate "community-oriented" memorial event will take place at the Vodafone Event Centre in Manukau on Saturday, "which will be ... aimed at the many communities who are wanting to pay their respects to the family and to Jonah", Hart said.

He said the two separate events were in some ways the result of the scale of how many people want to remember Lomu, but also because of certain cultural practices.

"The Tongan community, the Samoan community, would like to come and pay their respects. Probably that's not as public, they would like to do that with the family. So that's the reason there's a separation."

John Lomu, Jonah's brother, added: "It's just in regards to the Tongan community and the Samoan community and also our tangata whenua here. That's just what the family would like to have - time for them to come and spend their time with him."

In addition there will be a special "Aho Faka Famili" (Day of the Family) event allowing Pasifika to pay their respects in their traditional way.

A private funeral for Lomu will be held the day after the public memorial.