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Mon 30 Nov 2015 | 08:32
Emotional Hakas farewell Jonah Lomu at final public memorial

6
Comments

Thousands attended a memorial for Jonah Lomu in Auckland, with stars past and present paying tribute to the great man with a rousing Haka, led by All Black legend, Buck Shelford. Tana Umaga, Jeff Wilson, and other All Black greats, as well as current members of the Auckland Blues squad, took part in the Ka Mate Haka to say farewell to the legendary winger.

Eden Park hosted the final public memorial for Lomu, who unexpectedly died 12 days ago at the age of 40. The New Zealand great had been suffering with a kidney disorder for the last twenty years, and was awaiting a second transplant following the first one being rejected in 2011.

"It is frightening to consider what he could have achieved on the field if he had not played his entire career with a massive medical handbrake," said former All Blacks coach John Hart, who said that because of Lomu's illness, it meant that he played all of his career at only 80% capacity.

"He overcame tremendous hurdles throughout his life but never, ever complained. He was a fighter until the very end."

Lomu's casket was carried by former team mates, including Michael Jones, Frank Bunce and Jerome Kaino, while rugby league star Manu Vatuvei was also given the honour of being one of the pallbearers. Joeli Vidiri, who himself has the same nephrotic syndrome kidney disorder, was also on hand to help.

Lomu's two sons Brayley, 6, and Dhyreille, 5 were there with his wife, Nadene. Lomu will be buried after a private family burial service on Tuesday. May he Rest in Peace.

Below is an extended look at the ceremony, first with a Wesley College Haka from past pupils, then the Ka Mate led by All Blacks past and present, and then finally the current Wesley College boys in the stands, paying their respects to the great Lomu. You can view a shorter version on page two.

credit: thetightfive

Jonah's former teammates performing an incredible haka

Jonah Lomu's former teammates performed this incredible haka as the legend in number 11 was farewelled from Eden Park for the final time. Rest in peace Jonah.See more: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11553525&ref=NZH_FBpage

Posted by nzherald.co.nz on Sunday, November 29, 2015

Posted By: Grant Constable

6 Comments

  • oldflyhalf
    1:06 PM 01/12/2015

    Here, in our world, with good and bad, he has left "a mark" of his passage through this world.
    In the Elizee plains I hope that will meet him Jerry Collins, his bro and good teammate.
    What the rugby team, "All Whites", makes it God in his parish !

    RIP Jonah and Jerry!

  • drg
    12:53 AM 01/12/2015

    The thing I find difficult is that I'm not friends, I'm not family, indeed I never even met the bloke. So to feel like I feel watching this video and indeed the beautiful Eulogy by Eric Rush is quite alien to me.

    I've known people at school that have died. I've seen other BIG 'celebrities' notifications of death and parts of their funerals (Princess Diana springs to mind), and how that clearly touched a lot of people.. But I almost felt closer to this set up than I did the other lot stated previously...

    I suppose there is a combination of knowing how much he meant to his family and friends which is very sad, then his surrounding area, then indeed the whole of NZ, SH, and from there the world. To see such a collection of incredible players, all paying their respects, to read other players tweets and comments, it's clear to see how much he meant to rugby. I suppose he was the first big name I'd come across, I knew the different rugby teams, but 'Lomu' was always a big name. I suppose indeed it was his name and game that actually helped me to understand rugby (as best a video game can do) and learn other names/nations and probably indeed roughly where they ranked in the world...

    What a massive farewell from the crowds. I still cannot really believe it, Jonah Lomu is a household name and for him to be gone from this world is still a shock.

    Thoughts and prayers for the families and friends.

    RIP

  • eddie-g
    11:23 PM 30/11/2015

    Did not expect to cry as much as that. Heart-wrenching, yet beautiful. Well done New Zealand

  • danknapp
    9:26 PM 30/11/2015

    You're not truly dead until the ripples you leave behind have settled. And Jonah Lomu left some massive bloody ripples. Very moving to see what high regard he was held in by so many people. RIP.

  • sybaris
    9:00 PM 30/11/2015

    One if the greats. Great player, great person. Sometimes the light that shines the brightest sometimes burns the shortest. RIP big fellow.

  • sheldy85
    11:39 AM 30/11/2015

    same here!

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