Rugby legend Jonah Lomu’s headstone has been unveiled three years after his death.
The New Zealand All Blacks star died in November 2015 after a long battle with kidney failure.
His headstone was unveiled at his grave at Manukau Memorial Gardens in south Auckland on Monday – where his 10-year-old son Brayley broke down in tears while trying to speak to those gathered at the cemetery.
Rugby legend Jonah Lomu’s grave has been unveiled almost three years after his death
The New Zealand All Blacks star died in November 2015 after a long battle with kidney failure
His headstone was unveiled at his grave where his 10-year-old son Brayley (left) broke down in tears while trying to speak (Also pictured: Nadene Lomu and son Dhyreille)
He thanked those present for their attendance before crying and falling into his mother Nadene’s arms, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Lomu’s family and Nadene had been involved in a row over the headstone, but the late star’s brother John and an aunt who travelled from Australia were at the unveiling.
John Lomu gave a brief speech saying it was ‘time to be together as a family’.
‘Thank you everyone for being here,’ he said.
Lomu’s wife Nadene acknowledged the ceremony was organised at short notice.
His mother Hepi missed the ceremony as she had flown to Fiji on a trip which had been organised before she knew it had been organised.
Before the headstone was revealed, John Lomu said his family weren’t told about it and were worried as they had not been consulted on his epitaph.
The headstone features the quote: ‘families can be together forever’, as well as a photo of Jonah, Nadene, and their sons Brayley and Dhyreille, 9.
Jonah Lomu’s mother Hepi missed the ceremony as she had flown to Fiji on a trip which had been organised before she knew it had been organised
Lomu’s wife Nadene acknowledged the ceremony was organised at short notice
Nadene’s name is on the headstone, underneath ‘beloved husband, best friend and eternal companion’.
Lomu’s parents Semisi and Hepi are also featured, as is a quote attributed to Nadene.
‘The greatest gift in life you will ever have is to love and be loved in return,’ it reads.
John Lomu had previously said his family weren’t notified of Nadene’s plans to unveil the headstone.
‘We’re a bit suspicious about the timing of the unveiling – we just found out like everybody else on Thursday,’ he said.
Jonah’s brother John had previously said his family weren’t notified of Nadene’s plans to unveil the headstone
Lomu’s friend Henry Vaeoso said the epitaph on the headstone was written without input from his family.
‘I hope if there is anything on the stone, it would be Jonah’s mum, his siblings, Nadene and the two boys.
‘It better not have Nadene’s parents on it because it would be a big insult to the Lomus… I know the boys will dig it up.’
John Lomu said his mother has little contact with her grandsons.
‘When the kids are old enough and they have questions about their dad they want to know, we will tell them the truth.’
Lomu’s family and Nadene had been involved in a row over the headstone, but the late star’s brother John and an aunt who travelled from Australia were at the unveiling