Norths legend Jerry Collins dies in a car crash

UPDATED: A moment's silence will be observed in honour of Jerry Collins at the start of all Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup matches in Wellington club rugby tomorrow. 

With a big grin on his face and a hardnosed playing style, Jerry Collins was a much loved and respected player in Wellington club rugby for Northern United, for the Wellington Lions and for the Hurricanes.

For several years, from their first Swindale Shield title win in 2003, to their fourth and most recent Jubilee Cup win, Northern United  - at full strength - were probably the best club team in New Zealand. 

Collins was their leading player, their All Black loose forward who came back and played for them when he could and slotted in like he had never been away.

New Zealand Rugby has today expressed its shock and sadness at the death of former All Black Jerry Collins and his partner Alana in a car crash in France earlier today.

The crash has also left the couple’s baby daughter Ayla in a critical condition in hospital.

“The news has shocked us all and our thoughts are with Jerry and Alana’s families at this terribly sad time. We offer our deepest condolences to them and will support them as they come to terms with this devastating news,” New Zealand Rugby General Manager Rugby Neil Sorensen said.

Jerry Collins’ long-standing manager Tim Castle, speaking on behalf of the family said: “The family and I are distraught at the death of a much-loved son, brother and friend, and his partner Alana, whom I got to know recently.

“I have been in touch with Jerry’s father Frank and other members of his family who are in Samoa at the moment. It’s obviously a terribly difficult time for them and together with New Zealand Rugby we are doing all we can to support them.

“I have also been in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who are also doing everything they can to ensure that baby Ayla is getting all the care and support she needs. I am very grateful for their support.

“The family would also like to thank everyone for their messages of support and have asked for privacy at this time.”

The Hurricanes released a statement about Collins saying:

The Hurricanes would tonight like to extend their deepest sympathy to the family of Jerry Collins after hearing of his passing tonight.

Hurricanes chief executive James Te Puni said; “We are shocked and saddened to hear the news of Jerry and his wife Alana passing. Obviously Jerry was a special part of both the Hurricanes and Wellington Lions over the years. He was an extraordinary leader and player, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.

“We also understand Jerry’s baby girl, Ayla, was involved, and we, along with all Hurricanes fans, are also praying for her and hoping she comes through this OK.”

Collins had strong connections with his home club Northern United, as does his family. His sisters currently play for the Norths women’s team.

Collins captained Northern United, aged 18, and helped inspire a decade of success at the club who, during his time won the Swindale Shield and Jubilee Cup several times playing a thrilling brand of rugby. Whilst professional rugby led him away from club rugby, he personally helped them win at least one of their Jubilee Cup finals, whilst another highlight was him lifting the Swindale Shield aloft at Lyndhurst Park in 2006 with a Player of the Match performance in his side’s 47-0 win over Tawa.

Subsequently, he announced his retirement from New Zealand rugby following the 2008 Super 14, after equalling Christian Cullen’s record of 85 matches for the Hurricanes, behind Tana Umaga’s then record of 122 caps, and as the then most capped Hurricanes forward. In November 2008 he was playing for the Umaga-coached French Top 14 side Toulon.

Collins was destined for greater deeds with the Hurricanes and the All Blacks at a young age. He had captained the New Zealand Secondary Schools in 1997 out of St Patrick's College, Wellington, played for New Zealand U19 in 1998 and 1999 (voted player of the tournament in Wales), captained his Norths club team in 1999, played for the New Zealand Colts in 1999 and 2000 and appeared for New Zealand A in 2000 – all before he was 20.

He made his Wellington Lions debut in 1999, aged 18, only to suffer a broken leg in his sixth NPC match against Canterbury. But time was on Collins’ side, and he returned with a vengeance a year later as the young star in the Lions’ NPC winning side.

A devastating defender and a powerful ball runner, Collins quickly made an impression upon his Super 12 introduction in 2001. He played the first of his 48 tests against Argentina in 2001, but had to wait almost two years to the day to play his second after sitting out the 2002 season to have his aforesaid broken leg operated on.

Collins developed a more all-round game to complement his hard-man abilities and making the Hurricanes and All Blacks blindside flanker position his own since a fulltime positional switch from No. 8 in 2004. At the end of the 2007 season Collins had played 74 matches for the Hurricanes and 47 for Wellington and also captained the All Blacks in three tests.

Collins was born in Apia in Samoa and came to live in Porirua in Wellington at a young age, and is also a cousin of former All Blacks captain Umaga.

In mid-2009 Collins was back down under playing for the Barbarians against the Wallabies in Sydney.

In 2009/10 he transferred to Welsh club Ospreys, where he was a leading player in their team that won the Magners League title and was one of two New Zealanders along with fullback Ben Blair named in the Magners League Dream Team in late May 2010.

After two seasons at Ospreys, Collins moved to Japanese Top League side Yamaha in mid-2011 on a two-year deal for the next stage of his rugby odyssey.