New Zealand
Lomu remembered in first public service
ESPN Staff
November 22, 2015
Thousands have arrived for the first public service of rugby legend Jonah Lomu © Getty Images
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A huge crowd has poured into a Tongan church in Auckland for the first public service to remember rugby legend Jonah Lomu.

Spaces were quickly running out at the 1000-seat Lotofalei'a Tongan Methodist Church in Mangere as community members - many wearing traditional woven skirts - streamed in on Sunday night.

Some of Lomu's family, including his mother, have arrived, sitting at reserved seats near the front of the church.

A number 11 has been taped above the church's entrance.

Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Sam Lotu-Iiga will shortly make the first speech of the night and Mangere MP Su'a William Sio will also address the crowd.

The service is expected to last two hours and will include hymns, musical performances - including a brass band - numerous speeches from community leaders and prayers.

Lomu grew up in the neighbourhood of Mangere and had Sunday school classes at the church.

The 40-year-old died suddenly on Wednesday prompting a huge outpouring of messages from across the world. A separate private service and a large public one are currently being planned.

© AAP

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