AUCKLAND – Former All Blacks rugby union star Jonah Lomu has died unexpectedly at the age of 40.

Family spokesman and former All Black doctor John Mayhew confirmed the news.

“I can confirm that Jonah Lomu died this morning – it was totally unexpected, Jonah and his family arrived back from the UK last night,” Mayhew told New Zealand’s TV3 before breaking down in tears.

Mayhew described Lomu’s death as “a bolt out of the blue”.

Speaking outside the Lomu family’s home, Mayhew said the former winger’s death was “an incredible shock” because he had “been in pretty good shape” in the last few months.

New Zealand rugby chief executive Steve Tew also acknowledged Lomu’s death on social media.

“We’re all shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden death of Jonah Lomu,” Tew tweeted.

“We’re lost for words and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jonah’s family.

“Jonah was a legend of the game and was loved by his many fans both here and around the world.”

The wife of All Blacks great Jonah Lomu has spoken of the family’s “great sadness” at his death.

Nadene Lomu issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon, posting on Facebook with a family photo: “It is with great sadness that I must announce my dear husband Jonah Lomu died last night.

“As you can imagine this is a devastating loss for our family and may I ask that our privacy, especially the privacy of our two very young boys, be respected as we take them through this traumatic time. “

Lomu and his wife have two young sons – Brayley, 6, and Dhyreille, 5.

A neighbour of the family said she saw two ambulances and police at their home, in the Auckland suburb of Epsom, shortly after 11 on Wednesday morning.

Lomu’s long-time manager Phil Kingsley Jones said today was “one of the saddest days of my life”.

“Jonah was a big part of my family and we are all shattered by his passing,” Kingsley Jones said.

“He gave the world so much pleasure. Most people think of him as a rugby superstar, but to me he was always that young man from Wesley College who was great company.”

Former All Blacks including Michael Jones and Eroni Clark were seen arriving at the Lomu’s home on Wednesday afternoon.

The Auckland Council said it will liaise with the Lomu family, New Zealand Rugby and the government to consider how the city can best celebrate Lomu’s life and mourn his passing.

Mayor Len Brown said Lomu would be remembered as a New Zealander who achieved greatness but also faced great challenges.

“Jonah was one of Auckland’s greatest sons,” Brown said.

“He was an icon who New Zealanders from every walk of life respected both for his prowess on the rugby field and for the way that he dealt with his health issues.

In late August, the former All Black said he was living his life for his children.

“My goal is to make it to the boys’ 21sts. There are no guarantees that will happen, but it’s my focus. It’s a milestone that every parent wants to get to.

“My dad died young and that makes you think. I want my boys to be healthy and if they get to 21, they should be fit and healthy and live a normal life,” Lomu said in an interview with the Daily Mail.

Born of Tongan parents and raised in Mangere, Lomu’s playing weight was officially listed at 119-kilograms to go with his 1.96-metre frame.

The man once seen as the most unstoppable force in international rugby made his Test debut in 1994, but he rose to stardom with magnificent displays for New Zealand in the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa.

In particular he almost single-handedly won the semi-final in that tournament against England, scoring four tries and running through a shell-shocked English defence as New Zealand triumphed 45-29.

No one left their mark on world rugby, or opposing defenders, quite like Jonah Lomu.

His combination of size and speed made him one of the most dynamic attacking players in the world – he scored 37 tries in his 63 Tests for New Zealand between 1994 and 2002 before having to quit the sport because of ill health.

Lomu suffered from the rare kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome. He had a kidney transplant in 2004, but his body rejected it in 2011 and he had been reliant on dialysis ever since.

Most recently Lomu was in Great Britain last month to attend the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which the All Blacks won defeating Australia in the final.

Current and former All Blacks began to pay tribute to Lomu on social media after news of his death was made public.

These included Sean Fitzpatrick, who captained the New Zealand side at Lomu’s breakthrough World Cup in 1995, and current winger Cory Jane.

The rest of the rugby world also shared its sadness at his passing.

Former Springboks winger Chester Williams says he relished playing against Lomu because he wanted to test himself against the best.

Former Wallaby Peter Fitzsimons said Lomu was the greatest player he had ever seen.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive paid tribute to Lomu in a statement.

“ He was rugby’s first genuine superstar and as well as being an extraordinary rugby player he was also an exceptional man who gave everything to the game and his community in Auckland.

“His long battle with health has been well documented and his legend grew even greater as he continued to inspire us all with his fight for life against a rare and crippling disease.

“The ARU wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the Lomu family, as well as the New Zealand Rugby Union and the many other people in our game who were fortunate to have known the great man. Jonah’s legacy will live forever in our game, and indeed all over the world.”

Former Wallabies captain George Gregan relived an encounter with Lomu on ABC radio, illustrating how the man could be so fearsome one second and charming the next.

“I’ve got scar tissue in my left hamstring from when he ran over the top of me and basically broke my leg almost.

“That was a rugby game in Canberra Stadium, and I jokingly said to him ‘you know I was wearing that thermo-skin for the next half of the year because of you!’” - PNC sources