A man of his word.
Life can be terribly cruel sometimes.
Jerry Collins was only 34-years-old when his life was taken from him after a high-speed motorway collision with a bus, this morning, near Beziers, France. His wife, Alana Madill, also lost her life while their four-month-old daughter, Ayla, has been injured.
He will forever be remembered as New Zealand rugby’s back-row enforcer. The three nicknames – at least the ones that stuck – over his playing career sum up only half of his persona: Terminator, Bicep and Hitman.
The other side – a carefree, loving, welcoming and, at times, complex one – is perhaps best portrayed through this wonderful tale of the time he turned out for Barnstaple’s Second XV, in Devon, a month after he appeared in his second World Cup with the All Blacks.
Collins, all 17st and 6-foot-3 of him, was holidaying in the south of England after New Zealand had been eliminated from the 2007 World Cup. Aged only 26 and recognised as one of the best loose forwards in the world, he was at the height of his powers.
He was approached by Barnstaple’s head coach, Kevin Squire, whilst having a bite to eat in a restaurant and, after the pair chat, given an invitation to get back to his amateur rugby roots. To his complete surprise, Collins took him up on the offer.
Before he laced up, though, he dropped down to watch the Firsts play and took over a coaching session with some Under-14s.
As Squire told the Guardian, back in 2007, Collins was unable to play for the Firsts but was up for the invite to appear for the Seconds in a South West England Division 2 match.
‘I told him we had a match coming up and he was welcome to join us, but again I was gobsmacked when he showed up to catch the bus with the rest of the players.’ Squire added:
‘It was very surreal for the lads as they are all amateurs – most are builders, bricklayers, plumbers and so on. He had even been to a sports store to buy a new pair of boots.’
Tom Meek, who lined out for opposition team Newton Abbot, recalled thinking he had handed the 48-times capped All Black off, only to end up ‘flat on my face eating grass’. Collins scored a try in a 21-7 win for Barnstaple.
For more on this amazing tale, you can check out the full Guardian story here.
Given the man’s open nature and rugby legacy, it is no surprise, then, to see a host of rugby greats paying tribute to the late All Black.
Terrible news about Jerry Collins & his wife in France. Thoughts are with his family.
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) June 5, 2015
Desperately shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about Jerry Collins and his partner, thoughts and prayers are with his family #JC
— Ryan Jones (@RyanJonesOnline) June 5, 2015
Had the privilege and honour of bleeding with him on the weekends on the field. Words cant express how sad I am brother. RIP big brother JC!
— Piri Weepu (@piriweepu) June 5, 2015
Devastated of news about JC & his wife. Thoughts with his baby.Great guy- massive heart. Going to miss u mate#RIPJC pic.twitter.com/fbHZx8Kmac
— Lee Byrne (@byrney_15) June 5, 2015
