Final Eden Park haka for Jonah Lomu

AFP (Auckland): All Black greats united to pay tribute to Jonah Lomu with a powerful haka Monday (30) as thousands of fans packed a memorial service at New Zealand rugby’s spiritual home, Eden Park.

A grim-faced Buck Shelford led more than 20 former internationals in a “Ka Mate” haka while the legendary winger’s casket was carried into a hearse.

Former teammates including Tana Umaga, Justin Marshall and John Kirwan joined the emotional tribute on the same turf that Lomu once dominated as a player.

“Jonah, you were a freak on the field and a gentle, caring giant off it,” former All Blacks coach John Hart said.

Maori men perform a haka as the casket of late rugby legend Jonah Lomu is carried onto Eden Park during a memorial service – AFP Photo

A Maori mourning chant echoed around the Auckland stadium as Lomu’s black casket was carried through the players’ tunnel, preceded by an honour guard of tattooed warriors. Lomu’s wife Nadene and sons Brayley, 6, and Dhyreille, 5, wearing black shirts with the winger’s number 11, followed with heads bowed.

Lomu died unexpectedly at his Auckland home this month aged just 40 from cardiac arrest related to the chronic kidney disease that cut short his playing career. He was a beloved figure in New Zealand, even among those too young to have seen him in action, and the memorial ceremony was broadcast live by all major television stations.

Eden Park was a happy hunting ground for the player, who appeared in six Tests at the venue and won five of them.

Lomu scored 37 tries in his 63 Tests for New Zealand, becoming rugby’s first global superstar with a combination of raw speed and brute strength.