Family bid final farewell to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu

Friends and family of Jonah Lomu have said a final farewell to the rugby great at a private funeral.

The service was the last formal act of mourning for the 40-year-old former All Blacks winger who died on November 18.

Lomu's wife Nadene, sons Brayley and Dhyreille, his mother and brother and All Blacks team-mates were among mourners who filled the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South Auckland suburb of Mangere.

After eulogies, prayers and hymns, Lomu's coffin was taken from the church to the Manukau Memorial Gardens Cemetery for a private burial.

The service followed a public memorial at Eden Park stadium on Monday, attended by thousands of friends and fans.

Lomu's sudden death last month followed an almost 20-year battle with the rare kidney disease nephrotic syndrome.

He burst on to the international scene at the 1995 World Cup.

He won 63 caps for the All Blacks but suffered from health problems since his retirement from the international game in 2002.