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Queen Elizabeth II offered her condolences over Jonah Lomu's death Friday as the rugby legend's family revealed they were planning a send-off as big as the great man himself.
The family said they had been overwhelmed by a global "outpouring of love" after the charismatic winger died unexpectedly on Wednesday aged just 40, leaving a wife and two young sons.
Former All Blacks coach John Hart said feelings were so intense in Lomu's native New Zealand that Auckland's Eden Park stadium may be needed as a venue for a public memorial.
Flanked by the player's relatives outside the family's Auckland home, Hart said Prime Minister John Key's office had relayed condolences from the Queen to Lomu's widow Nadene.
WATCH: Epic haka tribute by students at Jonah Lomu’s former school

"(She) has written to the prime minister specifically asking for a message to be sent to Nadene and the family to say how much she mourns the loss as well," he told reporters outside Lomu's Auckland home.Tributes for the man hailed as rugby's first global superstar have come from well beyond the sporting world, including Hollywood stars, politicians and the many charities he supported.
Hart also revealed more about Lomu's death, saying he had just returned to Auckland after "a magic time" at the Rugby World Cup, which was won by his beloved All Blacks.
Hart said the family enjoyed a stopover in Dubai and there were no signs when they arrived home of any issues with the chronic kidney disease that had plagued Lomu since his playing days.
"He went to bed Tuesday night and he was fine, unfortunately when they awoke mid-morning they found him dead," Hart said.
"He clearly had cardiac arrest," he added, saying the heart seizure was undoubtedly related to his kidney condition.Hart said farewell arrangements were still being discussed but they were likely to include a large public memorial, possibly at the 50,000-capacity Eden Park.
A private funeral would follow the next day.
Standing behind Hart as he spoke about farewelling her son, Lomu's mother Hepi broke down in tears when he mentioned that Friday was her birthday.
Lomu's father-in-law Mervyn Quirk said the messages of support were helping the family through "an incredibly difficult time".
"We are truly touched by the outpouring of love for Jonah and the support for our family," he said.
We are truly touched by the outpouring of love for Jonah and the support for our family
Mervyn Quirk, Jonah Lomu’s father-in-law
"While we grieve for a husband, father, son, brother and good mate, we know that many people in New Zealand and around the world are mourning a very special individual."
British football star David Beckham was among those who have honoured Lomu, tweeting his sadness at the death of "this amazing giant of a man".
"A sporting hero and one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet," he said.
Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman, who learned of Lomu's story when shooting the movie "Invictus" about the 1995 World Cup that shot him to stardom, said he was "heartbroken" at the loss.
"His strength and passion were a source of inspiration to us all," Freeman tweeted.
Lomu's death has received blanket media coverage in his homeland, overshadowing Thursday's retirement of fellow All Blacks great Richie McCaw.
One broadcaster has set up a "Jonah" pop-up channel, dedicated to non-stop repeats of highlights from Lomu's 63-test career.


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Huge send-off planned for Jonah Lomu as Queen pays respects

Rugby superstar Jonah Lomu may be given a state funeral. Photo: Reuters

The Queen meets Jonah Lomu (third right) and other members of the All Blacks at Buckingham Palace in 2002. Photo: AP

All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu dies aged 40

New Zealand All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu (second left) breaks the tackle of France's Philippe Benetton (right) during their rugby test match at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris in 1995. Photo: AP

Cardiff Blues' Jonah Lomu poses for photographers during a news conference in Cardiff, south Wales in 2005. Photo: Reuters

Jonah Lomu runs over England's Neil Back on the way to the try line during a test match at Twickenham in 2002. Photo: AFP

Jonah Lomu in full flight at the Hong Kong Sevens in 1995, the tournament that launched him to international stardom. Photo: Martin Chan/SCMP

Jonah Lomu leads the haka after New Zealand's triumph in 1995. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Jonah Lomu gives Fiji's Waisale Serevi the slip during the Hong Kong Sevens Cup final in 1995. Photo: KY Cheng/SCMP

A young Jonah Lomu in 1994 after winning the Sevens. Photo: Robert Ng/SCMP

Jonah Lomu back at the Hong Kong Stadium for the Sevens in 2004. Photo: Martin Chan/SCMP

Jonah Lomu with Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman John Molloy on a trip back to the Sevens in 2004. Photo: Antony Dickson/SCMP

The magnificent seven - the greats return to Hong Kong in 2015: Jonah Lomu with Waisale Serevi, David Campese, Eric Rush, Christian Cullen, Ben Gollings and Johnny Zhang Zhiqiang. Photo: KY Cheng/SCMP

Sport

Rugby

Former coach John Hart reveals All Blacks legend died from heart attack ‘related to his kidney condition’


Queen Elizabeth II offered her condolences over Jonah Lomu's death Friday as the rugby legend's family revealed they were planning a send-off as big as the great man himself.


Rugby World Cup 2015