Jonah Lomu's doctor says the rugby great's death was likely to have been caused by a blood clot which developed while on a flight from Dubai to New Zealand.

The former All Blacks wing passed away last week at the age of 40 after recently returning to New Zealand after the long haul flight.

"We think the most likely cause was a clot on the lung which can be a complication of long distance travel. Jonah was at greater risk of that happening because of his renal condition. I think it was instantaneous. He was unaware of what had happened. It’s just one of those tragic complications that can occur in people with chronic renal conditions," John Mayhew told BBC Radio 5 Live, also saying that Lomu appeared to be in good health in the period leading up to his untimely death.