The Queen has sent her condolences to the family of New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu, who died earlier this week at the age of 40.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the retired sportsman, who had been living with a rare kidney condition for some time, had died at his home in Auckland.

Former All Blacks coach John Hart has revealed that a message from the Queen had been sent to Lomu's wife Nadene via the office of New Zealand prime minister John Kelly.

"She has written to the prime minister specifically asking for a message to be sent to Nadene and the family to say how much she mourns the loss as well," BBC Sport quotes Hart as saying.

Lomu earned 63 caps for New Zealand during his career.