Jerry Collins will be remembered as an All Black great, says Sean Fitzpatrick
Friday 5 June 2015 11:56, UK
Former New Zealand rugby international Jerry Collins was killed on Friday along with his wife when a bus crashed into their car in southern France.
Collins, 34, who was capped 48 times by the All Blacks, was near the town of Beziers when his car came to an unexplained stop on the A9 highway, before being hit by the bus.
The couple were travelling with their two-month-old daughter, who survived the accident but is in a serious condition.
Former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick expressed his shock at hearing the news and said that Collins would be remembered as one of the All Black greats.
“It is very tragic news and all our thoughts and condolences go out to his family," Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports News.
"For him and his wife to lose their lives at such a young age and to have their baby who was in the back seat in critical conditions is the worst news possible.
“I first came across Jerry in 1999 where he was the player of the U19 World Cup – he was a man in a boy’s body. In 2000 I managed the New Zealand U21 team and he played in that team along with some if the guys who are still playing now.
“He was phenomenal – tough as nails on the field and as loving and caring off the field, he was a gentleman off the field but he was tough and uncompromising on the field, he was a great All Black.
“I watched him develop with great pleasure. He became an All Black in 2000 and went on to wear the All Black jersey 48 times. I think he left the game a bit early in terms of international rugby after the 2007 World Cup, but he wore the jersey with great pride and epitomises everything an All Black could be.
“He was big strong and very physical and he will be remembered very, very fondly.”
