Jonah Lomu: Queen sends condolences to All Black's family

The Queen has sent her condolences to Jonah Lomu's grieving family.

Tributes to the legendary New Zealand rugby player have poured in from across the globe following his death and today it emerged Her Majesty had added to the messages of support sent to his wife.

Father-of-two Lomu died at the age of 40 on Wednesday at his home in Auckland and it has also been confirmed that he suffered a heart attack in his sleep.

Speaking to reporters on behalf of Lomu's family, former All Blacks coach John Hart said: "Today the Prime Minister has sent a message to [Lomu's wife] Nadene from the Queen.

"She has written to the Prime Minister specifically asking that a message is sent to Nadene and their families to say how much she mourns their loss as well."

Lomu was rugby's first global superstar, bursting on to the scene at the 1995 Rugby World Cup and going on to score 37 tries in 63 tests for the All Blacks.

However his career as a rampaging winger was interrupted by the serious kidney condition Nephrotic Syndrome, which means the organ leaks protein from the body.

Lomu had a kidney transplant in 2004 but the organ was rejected by his body in 2011.

He had spent two months in the UK during the Rugby World Cup and had only returned to New Zealand the day before his death.

Hart, who coached the All Blacks between 1996 and 1999, said: "Jonah and the family returned from [a family break on their way back from the World Cup in] Dubai on Tuesday night and Jonah was in great health.

"Jonah had spent a magic time at the Rugby World Cup so how good for him – he will be looking down now and saying: 'I saw the best of', so that was great.

"He arrived back home and he was fine. He went to bed on Tuesday and he was fine.

"They woke in the morning and they found him dead.

"He had clearly had a cardiac arrest and that cardiac arrest is clearly related to his condition."

Watched by Lomu's mother Hepi, who held two white roses, Hart added Nadene wanted to give her "sincere thanks" for the condolences and tributes paid to the All Black great.

The family is now in discussion with the New Zealand Government and other authorities about a public memorial service for Lomu.

They will hold a private church service and burial.