Former All Blacks coach John Hart, who was acting as a Lomu family spokesperson on Friday (20th November) confirmed that the All Blacks winger had died as a result of a cardiac arrest.

SOUNDBITE: (English) John Hart, Lomu family spokesperson and former All Blacks coach:

"He arrived back home Tuesday, he was fine. He went to bed Tuesday night and he was fine. Unfortunately, they woke mid-morning (Wednesday) and they found him dead. He clearly had cardiac arrest and the cardiac arrest is clearly related to his liver condition."

SOUNDBITE: (English) John Hart, Lomu family spokesperson and former All Blacks coach:

"Today, the (New Zealand) Prime Minister (John Key) has sent a message to Nadene (Lomu's wife) from the Queen (Elizabeth II), who has written to the prime minister specifically asking a message to be sent to Nadene and their families, their families, to say how much she mourns their loss as well. So, this is something that has obviously happened so suddenly and has obviously caught us all a little short."

SOUNDBITE: (English) John Hart, Lomu family spokesperson and former All Blacks coach

"Obviously this is an incredibly sad time for all of us and I think firstly that Nadene has asked that I pass on to everyone their sincere thanks from the family for the wonderful tributes that have been paid, the support that they've had from around the world and here in New Zealand. The outpouring of love towards a loving husband, a loving son, a loving son-in-law and a very, very special dad to his two beautiful young boys.

SOUNDBITE: (English) John Hart, Lomu family spokesperson and former All Blacks coach

"It won't be a state funeral, because a state funeral is actually for I think for a head of state, but the fact that government are wanting to support this funeral means that it will be a substantial event and I think we want an event where people can come and be part of it. We want a service which is a celebration, but it actually gives the public the opportunity to come, because we know and we see the expressions of love that are out there and we want to be able to share that."