Jonah Lomu

The rugby legend's wife Nadene, their sons Dhyreille and Brayley were joined by Jonah's brother John during the pre-unveiling ceremony at the Manukau Memorial Gardens on Monday morning.

Alongside close family and friends were a host of invited guests that included Lomu's All Black team mates, Eric Rush and Josh Kronfeld and two men who played a huge part in his life, Phil Kingsley Jones and former chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union and former president of the Asia Rugby Union and World Rugby Council member for Asia, Trevor Gregory.

The late Jonah Lomu's young sons Dhyreille and Brayley are in Europe supporting France in their bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. And the pair made a startling admission to French Newspaper Le Parisien. They'd choose to play for France over the All Blacks.

Asked by Le Parisien if they were ready to become All Blacks in future, they replied in unison: "No, we want to play for France." Not what you want to hear from the young sons of one of our greatest All Black wingers, is it?

He said this in an interview during the tribute organized by the PNG Rugby Union and the New Zealand High Commissioner.

Although he never faced Lomu on the field, Joseph said he was privileged to have watched the man in action during his prime.

Joseph recalls how the PNG Pukpuks were grouped in the same pool and set to clash with the All Blacks, which included Lomu, during the 1998 Kuala Lumpar games Sevens tournament. 

However, the absence of the Namibian Sevens team to the Games forced a reshuffle and PNG and New Zealand never faced off. 

That’s according to New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG, Tony Fautua, during a tribute to honor Lomu this week. 

The tribute was organized by the New Zealand High Commission and the PNG Rugby Union. 

Lomu died suddenly this week, aged 40, after a holiday in Dubai.

Former All Black coach John Hart spoke on behalf of the Lomu family outside the All Black great's home at a media conference this morning, with Lomu's mother Hepi, rugby legend Michael Jones and other family members also appearing.

Hart confirmed there would be a public service, followed by a private funeral at the family's church.

John Mayhew, the former All Blacks doctor, confirmed the news on Wednesday morning.

“On behalf of the Lomu family, I can confirm that Jonah Lomu died this morning, most probably about 8 or 9 this morning” Mayhew said. “The family are obviously devastated, as are friends and acquaintances.