Ed Sheeran pays touching tribute to Jonah Lomu by wearing the late rugby legend’s jumper on stage in New Zealand

  • Ed Sheeran paid tribute to All Blacks great Jonah Lomu at his concert
  • Singer donned a number 11 jersey with Lomu's name across the back
  • Final show of his world tour was at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium
  • Lomu died unexpectedly from a cardiac arrest at the age of 40 a month ago 
  • See more of the latest Ed Sheeran news and updates 

By Jenny Awford For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 08:27 EST, 12 December 2015 | Updated: 09:13 EST, 12 December 2015

Ed Sheeran has paid a touching tribute to All Blacks great Jonah Lomu by taking to the stage at his concert wearing the late rugby legend's number 11 jersey.

The singer donned a replica of the team's Rugby World Cup jersey, with Lomu's name emblazoned across the back, for the final show of his world tour at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

The crowd erupted when the Thinking Out Loud singer finished his first song on Saturday and turned round to pick up his second guitar - revealing the rugby star's name.

Lomu died unexpectedly from a cardiac arrest at the age of 40 a month ago - sending the sporting world into mourning.

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Ed Sheeran has paid tribute to All Blacks great Jonah Lomu by taking to the stage at his concert wearing a number 11 jersey

Ed Sheeran has paid tribute to All Blacks great Jonah Lomu by taking to the stage at his concert wearing a number 11 jersey

Sheeran is set to take a break after four-and-a-half years touring so he can get ear surgery.

Before the last show, he tweeted saying: 'One more show on the Multiply tour then I'm buggering off for a while. What a way to end it!'

He also spent time with New Zealand heavyweight boxing sensation Joseph Parker before going on stage.

Parker tweeted saying: 'Awesome meeting Ed Sheeran this evening. Have a good concert brother, who's going?'

The crowd erupted when the Thinking Out Loud singer finished his first song on Saturday and turned round to pick up his second guitar - revealing the rugby star's name

The crowd erupted when the Thinking Out Loud singer finished his first song on Saturday and turned round to pick up his second guitar - revealing the rugby star's name

The singer donned a replica of the team's Rugby World Cup jersey, with the sporting legend's name across the back, for the final show of his world tour at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium

The singer donned a replica of the team's Rugby World Cup jersey, with the sporting legend's name across the back, for the final show of his world tour at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium

Sheeran is set to take a break after four-and-a-half years touring so he can get ear surgery

Sheeran is set to take a break after four-and-a-half years touring so he can get ear surgery

Lomu will be remembered as rugby's first global superstar after bursting on to the international stage at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, pictured in a 1997 match against England

Lomu will be remembered as rugby's first global superstar after bursting on to the international stage at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, pictured in a 1997 match against England

Sheeran revealed that he will be having surgery in January after his ear drum burst when he jumped off a yacht.

A rendition of his song, I See Fire, by Kiwi opera trio Sol3 Mio was the All Blacks 2015 World Cup Song.

Lomu died on November 18 this year, the day after returning home to Auckland following the World Cup in England, won for a record third time by the All Blacks. 

He will be remembered as rugby's first global superstar after bursting on to the international stage at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. 

Lomu went on to scored 37 tries in 63 Tests for New Zealand, which could have been so many more but for his battle with a rare kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, which was diagnosed also in 1995.

In spite of the debilitating illness, Lomu proved a force to be reckoned with for the All Blacks at the 1999 World Cup before hanging up his boots in 2002.

Lomu finally had a kidney transplant in 2004, but the organ stopped functioning in 2011 with the former Wellington Hurricanes winger forced to undergo regular dialysis.

Sheeran tweeted a picture of the crowd at the final stop on his world tour with a caption saying: 'Auckland'

Sheeran tweeted a picture of the crowd at the final stop on his world tour with a caption saying: 'Auckland'

Sheeran revealed that he will be having surgery in January after his ear drum burst when he jumped off a yacht

Sheeran revealed that he will be having surgery in January after his ear drum burst when he jumped off a yacht

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