New Zealand will have the opportunity to farewell All Blacks great Sir Brian Lochore at his home ground.
The news came through late on Saturday night that Sir Brian had died, aged 78, after a battle with bowel cancer.
Lochore played 68 games, including 25 tests for New Zealand between 1964-71, captaining the team in 18 and winning 15 (suffering three losses to South Africa).
In a death notice published in The Dominion Post on Monday, Sir Brian's family confirmed the service to celebrate his life would be held at Masterton's Memorial Park on Thursday at 1pm.
His family thanked the many doctors and medical staff who "tried so hard and gave exceptional care".
They say Sir Brian led a life that was full.
"The family are very proud of all he achieved and their hearts are breaking at this time of loss, as Brian still had much to give," the death notice says.
After his playing career, Sir Brian coached the All Blacks to victory in the 1987 Rugby World Cup final.
The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union has set up a tribute room for Sir Brian at its clubhouse in Masterton.
"On show are the Webb Ellis World Cup, the Lochore Cup, and many photos and newspaper articles of his life and times," the union said on Facebook.
"A tribute book will also be available for anyone who wishes to write a few words."
Sir Brian was knighted in 1999 and inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in the same year.
Tributes for him have flowed, including All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and captain Kieran Read paying their respects from Perth.
Others involved in New Zealand sport, including Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson and Blackcaps batsman Ross Taylor, were also among those to pay their respects.
The news also generated international headlines, with World Rugby boss Brett Gosper and Italian rugby president Alfredo Gavazzi tweeting their sympathies.
Newshub.
