Thousands join New Zealand rugby giant Jonah Lomu memorial

In this June 18, 1995 file photo, New Zealand All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu shown during a game with England on June 18, 1995, in Rugby World Cup semifinal in Cape Town, South Africa. AP

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset led the tributes to former All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu at a public memorial Monday, saying Lomu was a giant whose contribution to rugby “cannot be overstated.”

Thousands of mourners, many wearing Lomu’s No. 11 jersey, crowded Auckland’s Eden Park stadium for the final public memorial for the rugby great who died Nov. 18 aged 40. A private family burial service will be held in Auckland on Tuesday.

Lapasset, who flew to New Zealand from France, joined Prime Minister John Key and former All Blacks teammates in paying tribute to Lomu’s contribution to rugby and his charity work.

Lapasset described Lomu as “a giant of a man (who) leaves a giant space in world rugby. He will forever be a big part of rugby’s story.”