Lomu’s family still doing it tough
Jonah Lomu’s widow has spoken of the tough time their children have endured as the second anniversary of the global rugby star’s death arrives.
Nadene Lomu issued a brief statement yesterday to mark today’s anniversary and confirmed that the process of finally putting a headstone on the former All Blacks’ grave was advancing.
‘‘It has been an exceptionally difficult time for us all since Jonah passed and we are grateful for the support we have received,’’ she said.
‘‘My heart goes out to anyone that has been through what we have.
‘‘There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t miss him.
‘‘Jonah and I will always be together in spirit and I’m focused on fulfilling his dreams which we were working on together to achieve.
‘‘Brayley and Dhyreille are doing as well as can be, but there is no escaping how hard it is on them and they will continue to be my priority.
‘‘I am also thankful to my parents for relocating from Wellington to Auckland to help us,’’ she said.
She added that being able to work on her cosmetics company ‘‘has helped me through my grief’’.
The Lomu family had a rugby victory as such this week when France was unexpectedly named to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Brayley and Dhyreille were used by French rugby bosses as part of their emotional bid to host the tournament against the rival applications of Ireland and South Africa.
While South Africa had gained World Rugby’s recommendation a fortnight ago, clever lobbying by France in the leadup to this week’s vote saw them persuade member countries to vote them into the hosting job.
Dhyreille was born in France during his father’s brief stint playing for Marseille as he battled the kidney problems that had plagued him since his early days in the All Blacks jersey.
Jonah died on November 18, 2015, in Auckland, a day after returning from England where he watched the All Blacks win backto-back World Cup titles.
Lomu passed away at the age of 40 with a deadly heart attack linked to his kidney disease given as the cause of his death.
Lomu’s grave at the Manukau Memorial Gardens has remained without a headstone after differences in his wider family.
But they appear to be resolving those.
Nadene Lomu confirmed that the headstone had been paid for but the unveiling date ‘‘will be a private matter for the family and has yet to be decided’’.