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”.

Jerry Collins with the All Blacks in 2006.

But it is a story that unfolded outside the theatre of international rugby that reveals the true character of a man whose love for the sport ran bone deep .

In the weeks after New Zealand’s scarring exit from the 2007 World Cup, Collins spent time with friends in north Devon and having conducted a coaching session with youngsters at Barnstaple RFC, he accepted a request to play for their second XV the following day.

The All Blacks flanker, whose reputation had been forged on his ferocious defence, duly boarded the team bus to Newton Abbott before lining up at number eight in the red and white of Barnstaple.

This is why we loved @AllBlacks Jerry Collins - when he turned up to play for @BarnstapleRFC 2nds. #RIPJerryCollinshttps://t.co/7cP7jYB1am

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 5, 2015

His star-struck team-mates were in awe, among them Mark Manley who said “the guy is a living legend and he was calling me by my nickname for the ball – it was the best rugby day ever”.

And Collins left a mighty impression on opposition flanker Andrew Breeze, who attempted to tackle the Samoa-born giant – “I thought ’this is your chance to put one of the best flankers in the world on his arse’. He stepped to his left, stepped to his right and was gone.”

The unexpected appearance was not an isolated incident as a year later he played a league match for a small club in New Zealand.

Even as a teenager Jerry Collins made his presence felt on the pitch and he was only 20 when he made his Test debut against Argentina, although he was forced to wait two years for his second cap.

Acting as the enforcer and snarling figurehead of the All Blacks pack, he was feared throughout the game for an uncompromising approach.

New Zealand rugby entered a period of deep introspection upon the quarter-final exit of the 2007 World Cup at the hands of France and Collins was among the players criticised.

The following year he announced his international retirement at the age of 26, although Fitzpatrick is among many who felt it was far too soon for him to be lost to the All Blacks.

A nomadic club career taking in spells at Toulon, the Ospreys and Japanese club Yamaha Jubilo followed, before he accepted his final contract at French second division side Narbonne in January.

Tributes have poured in from around the rugby world since it was announced

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You were close to our hearts too! RIP Jerry Collins and condolences to all the families involved. #warrior @AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/CcBfNwhRUi

— Springboks (@Springboks) June 5, 2015

Sad to hear the tragic news about Jerry Collins and his wife Alana.Thoughts and prayers with his family,friends and little daughter #Legend

— Peter Stringer (@stringer9) June 5, 2015

Very sad news about Jerry Collins and his wife. Hopefully their little girl is okay. #RIPJerry #Legend

— Alan Quinlan (@AlanQuinlan1) June 5, 2015

Terrible news about Jerry Collins & his wife in France. Thoughts are with his family.

— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) June 5, 2015

RIP Jerry Collins. Deepest sympathy to all concerned. Was a great player and always a pleasure to referee.

— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) June 5, 2015