Thousands of people packed into Eden Park in Auckland on Monday to pay tribute to New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu.
The great All Blacks winger died unexpectedly at the age of 40 on November 18. He had been suffering from a kidney disease for 20 years and was awaiting a second transplant.
A public memorial was held at the ground where Lomu once performed with such distinction, ahead of a private family burial service on Tuesday.
Lomu's coffin was carried into the stadium by pallbearers which included former All Blacks Michael Jones, Frank Bunce, Joeli Vidiri and Jerome Kaino, as well as New Zealand rugby league player Manu Vatuvei.
The coffin was followed by Lomu's wife Nadene and his sons Brayley, 6, and Dhyreille, 5, both wearing the number 11 shirt heavily identified with their father.
Former All Blacks skipper Wayne 'Buck' Shelford led more than 20 former internationals in an emotional "Ka Mate" haka while the legendary winger's casket was carried into a hearse.
Dozens of former All Blacks attended the memorial and pupils of Lomu's former school, Favona Primary in South Auckland, performed a song they had written in tribute to him, calling the rugby great "Number 11, our friend in heaven".
Video messages were played from Elton John and the Queen amongst others.
Lomu was of Tongan descent and the service featured English, Maori and Tongan performances and tributes.
He was a beloved figure throughout New Zealand and the memorial ceremony was broadcast live by all the major television stations.
The youngest ever player to be capped by the All Blacks, Lomu finished with 63 caps and 37 tries, making headlines around the world when he scored four tries against England in the 1995 World Cup semi-final.
A fearsome competitor on the field, he was renowned for his sportsmanship and good nature off it.
Former All Blacks coach John Hart said: "Jonah, you were a freak on the field and a gentle, caring giant off it.
"We've chosen Eden Park (to host the memorial) because it's the spiritual home of rugby and somewhere that Jonah loved so much."
World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "He's an icon in rugby and I have to represent all the fans that Jonah had in the world
"This fantastic man delivered a very great message about rugby to the world. He terrified defences and thrilled spectators with a brand of running rugby that had never been seen before.
"He will forever be a big part of rugby's story."