It was a day where the weather matched the mood- mostly grey, with a few bright patches shining through and a soft drizzle of rain every now and then.
Thousands gathered at Auckland’s Eden Park to say their last goodbyes to Jonah Lomu today- rugby legend, brother, mate, husband and father- who passed away 12 days ago at the age of 40.
The gathered crowd of 10,000 dressed mostly in black- many emblazoned with Jonah’s playing number, 11, on the back. Fluttering above everyone were three flags at half-mast- Tonga, New Zealand, and a flag displaying the All Blacks’ logo- as a playlist of New Zealand’s best-known songs blared from the speakers.
The big man’s final appearance was at the ground where his legend began.
Rest in peace, Jonah.
MC John Campbell led the proceedings.
All fell silent as Jonah was carried in by pallbearers who included All Black Jerome Kaino and New Zealand Warrior Manu Vatuvei, as well as former teammates Frank Bunce and Michael Jones.
New Zealand Warrior Manu Vatuvei wore a top emblazoned with Jonah’s playing number, 11, on the back.
Jonah’s wife Nadene and their two sons, Brayley (6) and Dhyreille (5), clung to their mum’s hands as they made their way to the stage where Jonah’s coffin sat.
The boys placed a family picture on top of the coffin, before kissing it and leading their tearful mum back down to their seats.
The boys placed a family picture on top of the coffin, before kissing it and leading their tearful mum back down to their seats.
Time to say goodbye.
The boys wore shirts with Jonah’s number on the back, and the powerful image that graced the front page of the Irish Examiner last week on the front- a fern, with a frond falling sadly to the ground.
John Hart, former All Black coach and friend of the Lomu’s, spoke on behalf of the family.
“His greatest fear was not living long enough to see his boys grow up,” he recounted, adding that Jonah only ever operated at around 80% capacity, due to his struggles with his kidney illness.
Auckland’s rugby Blues team were among the crowd.
Pupils from Favona Primary School- Jonah’s old school- made the crowds smile with their specially-written tribute song, which included the lyrics, “number 11, our hero in heaven”.
The crowd waved black flags with a fern on one side, and a number ‘11’ on the other, to performances by South Auckland duo Adeaze and legendary band Ardijah.
TV3’s Mike McRoberts and Hilary Barry watch on during the memorial.
Nadene, Brayley and Dhyreille at the end of the memorial service.
Jonah being carried off stage at the conclusion of the sombre memorial.
Former All Blacks gathered on the field in front of the entire Auckland Blues rugby side and the NZ Warriors rugby league team, to join alumni from Wesley College, Jonah’s school, in several rousing hakas.
Former All Blacks gathered on the field in front of the entire Auckland Blues rugby side and the NZ Warriors rugby league team, to join alumni from Wesley College, Jonah’s school, in several rousing hakas.
Former All Blacks gathered on the field in front of the entire Auckland Blues rugby side and the NZ Warriors rugby league team, to join alumni from Wesley College, Jonah’s school, in several rousing hakas.
Nadene, Brayley and Dhyreille set free a number of doves, who circled the stadium several times before flying off over the eastern stands of Eden Park.
Nadene, Brayley and Dhyreille set free a number of doves, who circled the stadium several times before flying off over the eastern stands of Eden Park.
Nadene, Brayley and Dhyreille set free a number of doves, who circled the stadium several times before flying off over the eastern stands of Eden Park.
As the casket was loaded into the hearse, mourners held up their flags as a mark of respect, with many shouting out “love you Jonah” as he was driven off the field- the big man’s final appearance at the ground where his legend began.
