Nadene Lomu, widow of sporting great Jonah Lomu, has broken her silence, thanking New Zealand - and the world - for their support.

Jonah died last month, aged 40, the day after returning to New Zealand from his travels through the UK and Dubai with Nadene and their little sons Dhyreille and Brayley during the Rugby World Cup.

It is believed Jonah - who was on dialysis while awaiting a second life-saving kidney transplant - died from a bloodclot on a lung.

"Thank you to New Zealand and the world for the support and love you have shown my sons Brayley and Dhyreille on the passing of their Daddy," Nadene said.

Her statement comes days after a fundraising trust was launched for the boys.