Rugby world in shock as All Blacks star Jerry Collins and wife Alana Madill die in crash

Former All Blacks rugby star Jerry Collins and his wife Alana Madill have died after their car was hit by a bus on a road outside the southern French town of Beziers.

Police said Ms Madill was driving while 34-year-old Collins was in the back seat.

Traffic officers in Beziers said their baby daughter Ayla was gravely injured in the crash about half an hour from Narbonne, where Collins had been playing since January for the town’s second division club.

Ayla was airlifted to a hospital in Montpellier in what French police called a “very serious” condition.

No one in the bus, which was carrying 21 people, was harmed.

“The news has shocked us all, and our thoughts are with Jerry and Alana’s families at this terribly sad time,” New Zealand Rugby general manager Neil Sorensen said.

All Blacks great Jonah Lomu tweeted: “rest in peace my brother JC (and) your lovely lady. You will be surely missed. Prayers to your little (girl).”

All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu wrote: “Don’t want to believe it,” and Sonny Bill Williams said: “Love you uso, May God look after your little one.”

Ireland star Brian O’Driscoll tweeted: “Terrible news about Jerry Collins & his wife in France. Thoughts are with his family,” and Springboks winger Bryan Habana wrote: “Terrible news to wake up to about Jerry Collins and his wife’s passing keeping his family and friends in my thoughts and prayers.”

Australian Rugby Union chief Bill Pulver paid tribute to “one of the toughest forwards in the game”, who is “right up there with the all-time great players to wear the All Black jersey”.

French club Toulon, where Collins played for one season, said it was in mourning, and its players will wear a black armband in the Top 14 semi-final against Stade Francais.

Collins rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most admired rugby players of his generation.

He was born in Apia, Samoa, and raised in Porirua on the outskirts of the New Zealand capital Wellington.

His elevation to the All Blacks in 2001— his first season in Super Rugby and at the age of only 20 — was no surprise and, though injury briefly interrupted his international career, he returned to the All Blacks from 2003.

He led New Zealand in pool matches at the 2007 World Cup. The quarter-final loss to France was the last of his 48 tests.