Thousands farewell Lomu at Eden Park

Thousands of people have given All Black great, Jonah Lomu an emotional send off at a public memorial service at Eden Park in Auckland.

Jonah Lomu's schoolmates from Wesley College were among the first to arrive at the All Black's memorial service in black shirts with the number 11.

They were joined by thousands of others, including school children, Pacific groups, former All Blacks and fans of all ages waving flags with the silver fern.

Joeli Vidiri along with Jerome Kaino and New Zealand rugby league player Manu Vatuvei were among those who were pallbearers.

New Zealand prime minister John Key addressed the ceremony through a video message, saying Lomu continues to inspire generations of New Zealanders.

World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset, who travelled to Auckland from France, spoke on behalf of the global rugby community.

While speaking at the memorial service, former NZ 7s captain Eric Rush said he still remembers the first time he met Jonah Lomu at a touch rugby match.

He says Lomu’s life changed when he settled down and had a family.

The familiar cries of ka mate, ka mate roared throughout the stadium in a last haka by members of the All Blacks led by Wayne Shelford, which followed a haka by Wesley College students and a farewell by Ngati Whatua.

Lomu’s body has been taken to his home in Epsom before a private memorial service tomorrow.