South Auckland mourns Jonah Lomu

Among them was the Governor General Jerry Mateparae who says his skill is a talent the military admire, “In the British Army they use that video of Jonah vs Mike Cat to demonstrate Manuvour warfare”.

Jonah Lomu’s coffin leaves after the Aho Faka Famili (Day of the Family), a unique celebration of his life in Auckland on November 28, 2015.

Lomu’s profession was reduce brief by a persistent kidney illness and he died unexpectedly at his Auckland house final week aged simply forty, leaving a spouse and two younger sons.

“He impressed us with his courage, his humility, his grace under pressure”, Sir Jerry said.

“A great Totara has been cut down”.

Rugby legend Jonah Lomu has returned to the cradle that nurtured him. And we will not see the likes of him again’.

The Tongan community honoured Lomu at the Lotofalei’a Tongan Methodist Church, a Mangere church he attended as a child, last Sunday.

Auckland mayor Len Brown said this was a way for Pasifika communities to respect their traditions, through oratory, music and gifts.

New Zealand broadcaster John Campbell will MC Jonah Lomu’s official memorial service at Eden Park on Monday.

Another former All Black, Ofisa Tonu’u, a spokesman for the gathering, described it as a “joyous” celebration the place individuals might “inform tales and some eulogies and simply to have fun Jonah’s profession and the legacy he is left behind”.

Many celebrities with connections to south Auckland made an appearance, including former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, New Zealand Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei and former rugby player Eric Rush.

“There’s a few formalities and then there’s been expression of groups to come in and perform”. It will include performances from New Zealand music artists Lizzie Marvelly, ADEAZE and ARDIJAH.

New Zealand prime minister John Key and World Rugby president Bernard Lapasset will be among tens of thousands of mourners expected to attend that ceremony.

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, Jonah’s casket will be taken from Eden Park to his home in Epsom, via Balmoral Road.