Jonah Lomu’s mother and widow in war of words over ‘thefts’ from his grave

The widow and mother of All Black great Jonah Lomu are locked in a war of words over his grave. The rugby star’s wife, Nadene, says flowers and mementos left by their children were repeatedly moved from the site in New Zealand. His mother, Hepi, admits she moved the flowers, saying they needed to be cleared so the grave could be maintained. But she said the toys left by the players’ boys, Brayley and Dhyreille, were blown away by the wind and broken. “Whatever differences of opinions there are with Jonah’s family… all differences aside, it is a place of rest. It is a sacred place,” said Nadene.

They said to remove the flowers because if they have flower from top to the bottom they won’t put any soil [on the grave]

Hepi Lomu

Lomu died aged 40 two months ago after returning from the Rugby World Cup, following years of chronic kidney illness. He was buried the Manukau Memorial Gardens in Auckland where his widow and mother crossed paths on Friday. This time, Nadene says she felt obliged to clear the grave because her mother-in-law threatened to take away the flowers and toys the children had just left. Earlier, she posted a heartfelt plea on social media about the missing mementos, saying: “I know u wouldn’t be happy they are being hurt, not just once not just twice, not even three or four times but more.” But Lomu’s sister, Sela, responded to the post saying the flowers had to be moved so soil could be added the the grave.

To come one day and the candy canes have gone, then the windmills have gone. A letter my son’s class did for him… that’s gone.

Nadene Lomu

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