Tributes pour in for 'living legend' Collins - an All Blacks enforcer who loved rugby

When delivered by one of rugby’s gnarliest figures, the description of Jerry Collins as an opponent best avoided fittingly summarises a player universally admired as one of the sport’s genuine hardmen.

In the words of decorated former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick, the back row forward was as “tough as old boots” and “epitomised everything an All Black should be”.