Is a page on FB that I happened across, has some great content on players.
One i saw today is on Jerry.
Collins’ story begins far from the bright lights of international rugby stadiums, in the sun-drenched streets of Apia, Samoa. But it was in Porirua, on New Zealand’s North Island, where he truly grew up—where the boy with an unmistakable spark honed the skills that would one day dazzle the rugby world. At St. Patrick’s College in Wellington, he dominated the 1st XV side for three consecutive seasons, catching the eyes of selectors and carving out a path that few could imagine. By 1996, 1997, and 1998, Collins was already on New Zealand Secondary Schools’ radar, and in 1999, he announced himself on the global stage: Player of the Tournament at the World Junior Championships, leading New Zealand’s Under-19s to victory and setting the stage for something even bigger. A few years later, in 2001, he would become the first from that golden junior squad to don the black jersey of the All Blacks.
His professional journey began with Wellington in the NPC in 1999, and by 2001, he was making waves with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. Over the next seven years, Collins became a mainstay, clocking 74 appearances, including the heartbreak and glory of the 2006 final against the Crusaders at AMI Stadium. But it was on the international stage where he left an indelible mark. From his debut for the All Blacks in 2001, he went on to play 48 tests, crossing the try line five times. In June 2006, he captained New Zealand in a tense one-off match against Argentina in Buenos Aires, leading the team to a hard-fought 25–19 victory and earning the distinction of becoming the 61st captain of the All Blacks. He would also step in for Richie McCaw as captain during the 2007 Rugby World Cup matches against Portugal and Romania—a testament to the respect he commanded in the squad.
Collins hung up his international boots in May 2008, but the game had not finished with him yet. Not long after, he appeared in a local rugby league match under a pseudonym—a cheeky nod to his love for the sport, though the team did get fined. His passion for rugby remained insatiable. In 2007, following New Zealand’s World Cup exit, he was on vacation in Devon when Barnstaple’s head coach Kevin Squire spotted him. What began as a casual visit quickly turned into an unforgettable weekend: Collins ran a junior coaching session, politely declined any form of repayment, and instead asked simply to play rugby. The following Saturday, he lined up for Barnstaple’s 2nd XV against Newton Abbot, leaving his mark not just as a player, but as someone who still loved the game for its pure, unglamorous joy. A few weeks later, he even wore Barnstaple socks in a match for the Barbarians—small, whimsical details that hinted at his humility and love for rugby beyond fame or accolades.
His club career continued across continents. After leaving the Hurricanes, Collins joined Toulon for the 2008–09 season, linking up with Sonny Bill Williams in the club’s ambitious recruitment drive. In May 2009, he signed a two-year deal with Wales’ Ospreys, where he was named Players’ Player of the Year for the 2009/10 season—a nod to the respect and admiration he inspired in his teammates. He then ventured to Japan, joining Yamaha Júbilo in the Top League in 2011, before returning briefly for the classic All Blacks against Fiji in 2013. After taking a sabbatical in 2014, Collins returned to France in 2015 as a Medical Joker for Racing Club Narbonne, stepping in as injury cover for Rocky Elsom.
Through every stop, every country, every club and test match, Collins carried with him the same fierce dedication, the same love for the game that had first lit up a school field in Wellington. His story isn’t just about caps, tries, or trophies—it’s about a man who lived rugby in every heartbeat, who found joy in coaching, camaraderie, and the small, unexpected moments that make the sport worth everything.
