‘Another legend gone too soon’

Willie Collins

NGATI Porou East Coast Rugby Football Union is among the many to have paid tribute to former player Willie Collins, who died in a diving incident in Wellington at the weekend.

Wellington-based Collins, a cousin of All Black Jerry Collins who was killed in a car crash in France in June, was found dead after going for a dive with friends near Lyall Bay on Sunday. He was 39.

Collins played predominantly in the midfield backs for Ngati Porou East Coast for two seasons, 2001 and 2002, under coach Joe McClutchie.

He was a member of the famous Coast side of 2000, who made the NPC second division final, coming back from 30-10 down with eight minutes to play to lose 30-27 to Hawke’s Bay.

Collins, whose younger brother August also had a season with the Coast, was one of the side’s most consistent players and won the rookie award at the union’s 2001 prize giving.

The various Facebook tributes included one from former teammate Dwayne Russell.

“Tribute to my good friend and old playing mate Ngati Porou East Coast son Willie Collins who ripped it up on the field every time he bled blue. Petone legend who inspired many and we are all going to miss you. Still cant believe it.”

Ngati Porou East Coast Rugby Union also paid homage on its Facebook page.

“Another Wellington Rugby legend gone to soon. A man making a difference in people’s lives.”

A fitness and boxing trainer, Collins, known as Tou, ran his own fitness training programme, known as Limitless Fitness.

“My goal is to coach and train people to not only meet their goals but to exceed them to maintain their healthy lifestyle and be an inspiration to others,” he wrote on his company website.

Collins was also heavily involved with the Petone Rugby Club and boxing as a fighter and coach. He was diving with two friends at Shark Tooth Point on Sunday afternoon. Wife Joni was on the shore. He failed to surface and after his friends searched unsuccessfully for him, emergency services were called.

A family service for Collins is to be held in Naenae tomorrow and his funeral is on Christmas Eve.