By Matt Burrows
The widow of All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu has spoken out for the first time since his death, thanking New Zealand and the rest of the world for the "support and love" shown to their children.
Nadene Lomu also thanked the New Zealand Rugby Players Union for establishing a trust fund for their sons after it was revealed earlier this week that Lomu had almost no savings at the time of his death.
She also asked for "privacy through the holiday period", as her two sons, Brayley, aged five, and Dhyreille, six, celebrate their first Christmas without their father.
"Thank you to New Zealand and the world for the support and love you have shown both my sons, Brayley and Dhyreille, on the passing of their daddy," Nadene said.
"While this is a hard time for us, I am grateful for the support from all of you that have over the last week spared a thought for our family. On behalf of not just me, but Brayley and Dhyreille, I would like to thank those in the media that have given us space and time as a family to grieve."
Ms Lomu also issued a plea to those who had provided support to the family, urging them to value time spent with friends and family in the holiday season.
"Have a safe and happy Christmas with your family these holidays and enjoy every moment you can with your loved ones; you never know how long you have them with you," she said.
Nadene also expressed her gratitude to those who had set up the trust fund for the family in light of their financial woes.
"I would also like to thank the New Zealand Rugby Players Union, who independently and of their own initiative established a trust to benefit our sons.
"This was done independent of my involvement and I am grateful that the boys will have that support growing up without their daddy in their lives.
"The trust is there for the boys, and I have every confidence the trustees, who will administer the trust, will do so in the best interest of our sons.
"On behalf of our sons I am very grateful that people who have been touched through Jonah's life have wanted to give so generously to the trust that has been established for Brayley and Dhyreille.
"I will continue to work hard, as every other good mother in this country does, to provide them with the best upbringing possible."
Lomu passed away last month after suffering from what was believed to be a blood clot on one of his lungs.
Medical experts believe his busy schedule while at the Rugby World Cup in England, as well as the extensive travelling he undertook, may have contributed to his death.
3 News