SUPER 14 - Collins still a driving force with the Blues

FIRST Justin Collins tried to feign surprise then David Nucifora, his coach at the Blues, labelled him the oldest openside flanker in the country.
As with most things in life, there was a grain of truth in all of it.
But most compelling was this: At 34 and with more than 80 games for the Blues under his belt, Justin Collins is still one of the first names Nucifora writes into his game day book with indelible ink.
The dependable flanker has been one of the top performers in the Blues' pre-season campaign, now he has been handed the No7 jersey for Saturday night's championship opener against the Chiefs at Eden Park.
Being labelled with the "oldest openside" tag was probably meant to be a compliment, but it was not one Collins was going to accept without some reticence.
"The oldest openside flanker in the country? Surely not," Collins said. "There must be a few older openside flankers playing club rugby somewhere in the country."
Probably, but then try finding another 30-something player wearing the much coveted No7 jersey somewhere else in the Super 14 championship and you would be looking for a long time.
There are only three other players in the Blues team born in the same decade as Collins.
Considering Collins is one of the remaining few to have played the game at the top level when the four-point try was still the go, that he is still regarded so highly as the game moves into hyper-mode with new rules this weekend speaks volumes about his ability ... and his lung capacity.
The new experimental laws are set to add extra fitness demands on all the players. Considering the openside flanker was already expected to crack out about 10km of running per game, that will test Collins on Saturday.
"To be honest it is a little surprising to be in the No7, at openside, but I have played in the last three (pre-season) games and they have gone reasonably well. I am feeling fit and keen. It is all just mindset I reckon," he said.
"There is nothing different in the pre-season campaign, probably just a little more emphasis on recovery now. I have noticed I am picking up the odd thing like tight calves, which seems to come in the twilight of your career. I used to see Robin Brooke doing the same sort of stretches before a game when I first started, so I am glad I didn't give him too much stick.
"Probably the new laws have put a bit more of a demand on the openside flanker, mostly in that the major change is going to be the speed of the game.
"Whereas before there might have been a penalty then a lineout there may just be a few more tap and go plays.
"The first pre-season game we did we had Steve Walsh as the referee, and it got out of hand because both teams just wanted to tap the ball and go again."
It has been quite a summer for Collins already. Halfway through last season he had his mind set on relaxing, thinking his services would not be required by Nucifora at the Blues.
But Nucifora was keen and soon got Collins to change his mind with a few well-timed phone calls. It has turned out to be a good call, especially with Daniel Braid out of contention with an injury for the next four weeks.
The selection of Danny Lee at halfback and Kurtis Haiu at lock were the only other surprises.
The game against the Chiefs starts 7.30pm on Saturday night.
THE TEAM
Blues team to face Chiefs at Eden Park on Saturday:
Isa Nacewa, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Nick Evans, Danny Lee, Nick Williams, Justin Collins, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (captain), Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Nick White, Anthony Boric, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Taniela Moa, Ben Atiga, Rudi Wulf.