The Queen Mourns Loss of Jonah Lomu

The Queen has written to Prime Minister John Key asking him to pass on to Jonah Lomu's family how much she mourns their loss.

The news was delivered by former All Blacks coach John Hart to media outside the Lomu family home in Auckland.

Hart said the family had agreed there should be a public memorial service before a private family church service.

No decisions had been made and they would not be rushed, Hart said.

He added that he was privileged to be a coach and friend of Lomu.

He said Lomu was a "freak" and there would never be another player like him. He did things no other players could do.

There would be no state funeral. The public service should be a "celebration". Eden Park is one of the venues being considered, Hart said.

Lomu's wife Nadene has asked that a Givealittle page she set up be taken down.

Lomu's passion was to set up a long-lasting legacy to help children round the world. That was the intention of the page but the intention may have been missed at a difficult time.

Hart said Lomu was in good health when he returned from Dubai on Tuesday. He was "fine" when he went to bed on Tuesday but was found dead the following morning.

He had a cardiac arrest "clearly" linked to his kidney problem.

He had a strict treatment programme that had to be managed wherever he was and his death was "just one of those things".

Hart said he always thought Michael Jones was the best rugby player, but Lomu was more than that.

Nadene Lomu was "struggling big time" but their two sons are coping okay, 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.

-NZ Herald