Soccer: Chance to play O-League puts soccer first for Collins

Glen Collins loves his footy. And not just soccer.

Collins, good enough to play for the All Whites on a trip to China, Poland and Estonia a few years back, has happily been hanging his soccer boots up for the past five winters, but he hasn't been reaching for his pipe and slippers.

He has, instead, switched codes to play rugby for Sumner in the Canterbury senior competition.

"I felt I needed a break and this was a good way of doing it," said Collins, 32, who has been one of the steadying influences in the Canterbury United side during the past summer's New Zealand Football Championship.

Playing at first five-eighths, Collins has also been entrusted with the goalkicking duties, admitting "I got the odd one" as his team went two seasons unbeaten and have now been promoted to division one this season. But they will have to do without Collins, who has decided to turn out for Ferrymead Bays in the local soccer competition.

"With a baby and a job, I won't have the time to play rugby this winter," said Collins who has played an influential role in the new-look Canterbury United side this season. Like his teammates, his future commitment depends, in part, on the outcome of tomorrow's NZFC grand final.

"If we win and make it to the O-League it would be amazing," said Collins, who was coerced into rejoining United by another former All White Gareth Rowe. "If we do clinch the NZFC, and with it the chance to play in next season's O-League, I'm pretty sure most of the guys will be around."

Collins attributes much of their success to coach Keith Braithwaite, who was handed what many saw as a poisoned chalice in taking the reins at United after a disastrous 2008-09 season in which they had finished last and won only twice.

"It was a huge ask for Keith," said Collins. "He has done an amazing job with a team that struggled last season. He must, surely, be in line for coach of the year. When I turned up, I didn't know many of the guys but with Gareth, Andy Pitman and Dan Ferris all answering the call to come back we had a core of experienced players.

"Then we had a group of younger guys and Keith has been able to blend it all together. Part of my role has been to get [Aaron Clapham] on the ball and show just how dangerous he can be. Other guys like Russell Kamo have also thrived."

Earlier in his career, Collins had four seasons at university in the US playing for Greensboro College from 1998. He then signed with the Carolina Dynamo in 2002 - the same year he played for the All Whites - and, in 2003-04 turned out 18 times for the Football Kingz.

Braithwaite has no doubt the experienced players have been key to their success this season.

"Guys like Glen Collins and Gareth Rowe have had a huge impact on the game," said Braithwaite. "Glen is a great passer of the ball and has great vision and, like Gareth, he has helped players like Tom Lancaster, Aaron Clapham and Russell Kamo develop their game."