A teacher who mentored Jerry Collins at St Patrick’s College in Wellington said he used to be called “chicken legs”.
“Jerry used to get called chicken legs in his early days and once he got called that, and named that, he used to spend most of Friday afternoons in the gym instead of in the classroom,” said Peter Wadsworth in an interview on TVNZ.
Wadsworth said Collins was also very good at maths. He topped his year 11 class.
He used his mathematical skills on the field to crack the opposition’s lineout codes and predict their moves.
On Saturday there was a college haka in memory of rugby’s so-called ‘hitman’ as St Pat’s Town played Rongotai in Wellington.
“He played his first traditional game out here on this ground 19 years ago. And he had a great game,” said John Bishop, Collins’ former coach.
In keeping with the family’s rugby heritage, Collins’ nephew played on the wing.
Collins began his secondary education at Tawa College, which is near his home town of Porirua.
He switched to St Patrick’s College when he was in year 11.
The following year, just 16 years old, he was in the New Zealand secondary schools’ rugby team.
He was captain of the 1998 St Patrick’s College first fifteen.
Collins was regarded as one of the hardest players in the game.
“He was uncompromising and that’s the job description of a blindside flanker, you know, big tough and ugly – hit first and ask questions later,” said Ken Laban, rugby commentator.
Collins was aware of his fearsome reputation.
On occasions he was saddened by it. “There was a time when my aunty had her kids with her and they were afraid to shake my hand because they thought I’d eat one of them.”
But many of the tributes have revealed the softer side to the man.
Reverend Nove Vailaau, a pastor in the Congregation Church of Samoa (EFKS), has posted an account of how he remembers Jerry Collins and his migrant family.
“Jerry found himself moulded by those aunties and uncles who came to New Zealand seeking for better portions in life.”
“Jerry was a role model to many kids of the To’omaga family, his mother’s side, as well as to children of the church community in Porirua especially in the area of rugby.”
Vailaau said Collins had a Samoan and Christian upbringing. “He was brought up here at Waitangirua, in a very Christian family of grand uncles and grand aunties who blend Samoan cultural principles and Christian values in a very disciplined manner.”
“I remember him very well growing up in the community, doing all the chores any Samoan kid would be told to do around the house and the church community.
“He participated very well and contributed as a son in the building up of this Church community.”
Family friends Litea Ah Hoi and Paul Whiting remember Collins’ commitment to his hometown of Cannons Creek, north of Wellington.
“Because he was so well known, he would have lots of little kids just hanging around him and would follow him to the corner dairy. And he would buy them all ice blocks,” Ah Hoi said.
Jerry Collins played 48 tests for the All Blacks and 74 games for the Hurricanes. After leaving New Zealand in 2008, he turned out for clubs in Japan and France.
His funeral is to be held in his hometown of Porirua, although a date is yet to be set.
Source
- talamua.com
- tvnz.co.nz
- stuff.co.nz
- Image: Screenshot TVNZ