Six simple words eloquently summed up the impact Jonah Lomu had on rugby union when New Zealand paid its final respects to the former All Blacks winger on Monday.

"Too big, too fast, too much," Lomu's high school coach Chris Grinter told the thousands of people who had flocked to Eden Park for a public memorial service.

Lomu, rugby's first global superstar, died unexpectedly at the age of 40 on Nov. 18. He had been suffering from a kidney disease for 20 years and was awaiting a second transplant.

The service at the ground where the hulking winger once thundered down the touchlines was the last chance for his compatriots to publicly mourn his death and celebrate his life.

He will be buried after a private funeral service later this week.

Lomu's casket was carried to a specially built stage by former team mates, including All Blacks Michael Jones, Frank Bunce and Jerome Kaino.