The heartbroken family of All Blacks great Jonah Lomu are "struggling big time", as messages from around the world continue to flow - including one from the Queen.
Former All Blacks coach John Hart revealed the Queen had written to Prime Minister John Key asking him to pass on to Lomu's family how much she mourns their loss as he spoke to media on behalf of the family outside Lomu's home in Epsom this morning.
• John Hart says Lomu family 'struggling' • Public memorial for rugby great, but no state funeral • Lomu mother breaks down in tears • Widow has taken down Givealittle page
The heartbroken family of All Blacks great Jonah Lomu are "struggling big time", as messages from around the world continue toflow - including one from the Queen.
Former All Blacks coach John Hart revealed the Queen had written to Prime Minister John Key asking him to pass on to Lomu's family how much she mourns their loss as he spoke to media on behalf of the family outside Lomu's home in Epsom this morning.
Surrounded by Lomu's grieving relatives, Hart said the family wished to send its "sincere thanks" for the huge outpouring of support after the death of the rugby legend.
He spoke of Lomu as a great rugby player, a great person, husband, son and "special dad to two young boys". Jonah's mother, Hepi, whose birthday is today, stood at the gate holding on to two white roses as Hart spoke.
Lomu's wife, Nadene, was "struggling big time", but their two sons were coping okay, Hart said, adding "they've got their dad back in the house with them now".
Lomu's body would likely stay at the family home until the funeral, he said.
Hart also addressed the issue of the Givealittle page that had been set up after Lomu's death. At the time it was thought to be the best way to handle requests from those wanting to donate to Lomu's boys, he said.
Nadene had now asked that the page be taken down, Hart said, adding that the intention of the page - to help fulfill Lomu's wish to help children round the world - may have been missed at a difficult time. He admitted that the page had "attracted some publicity".
Hart said that he was privileged to be a coach and friend of the rugby great, affectionately describing him as a freak who did things no other players could do.
John Hart gives comfort to Jonah Lomu's mother Hepi. Photo / Dean Purcell
"There will never be another Jonah Lomu," he said.
Hart said Lomu's death had come as a shock. "It happened so suddenly, it caught us all a little short".
Lomu was in good health when he returned from Dubai on Tuesday, he said, and was "fine" when he went to bed but was found dead the following morning.
He said the cardiac arrest was "clearly" linked to Lomu's kidney problem.
He said Lomu had a strict treatment programme that had to be managed wherever he was and his death was "just one of those things".
The "enormous outpouring of love" shown by the New Zealand public had shown here was a need to mark Jonah's life publicly, he said. The family were in discussions with Government and local government to arrange the best way to remember Lomu.
The family had agreed there should be a public memorial service before a private family church service, Hart said. But there would be no state funeral.
The public service should be a "celebration" of Lomu's life, with Eden Park one of the venues being considered, Hart said.
It was likely the public memorial service would be held on one day and the family funeral the day after. Hart said he hoped details could be announced on Monday.
As the family turned to leave at the end of the press conference, Hart acknowledged it was Lomu's mother's birthday today. He kissed her on the forehead as she broke into tears.
Prime Minister John Key said there would be government support for the memorial service.
"We are working our way through it...there are obviously a lot of costs involved because it could be huge in terms of the number of people who would want to t urn out and pay their respects, so that would be far too big a burden for the family to pay." Mr Key said he would like to attend the service, but that might not be possible because of planned travel. He had been speaking with Hart.
