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Home / Sport

Haka for Jerry Collins: Family offer thanks

Kurt Bayer
By Kurt Bayer
South Island Head of News·NZ Herald·
7 Oct, 2015 11:44 PM4 mins to read

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Almost 11,000 spectators watched a Classic All Blacks side play European champions Toulon in a tribute match for the late All Black Jerry Collins in France this morning.

The Classic team, which included former stars such as Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall and Ali Williams, performed a moving haka before the game, played to honour Collins who died in a car accident in June.

Classic All Blacks haka in Toulon ..just after a very moving minute's silence for Jerry Collins and Alana Madill pic.twitter.com/ctCX6Ps99c

— Melissa Chan-Green (Davies) (@MelChanGreen) October 7, 2015

His wife Alana was also killed in the accident in France, but their young daughter Ayla survived and is being cared for by Alana's family in Canada.

Alana's parents Darrell and Ruth Madill missed the match while at a doctor's appointment for baby Ayla.

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Mr Madill said they hoped to watch some highlights online later today, and were especially keen to see the haka.

"It will be very heart-warming to see it," he told NZME News Service.The match was a "very nice gesture" by everyone involved, particularly the players, Mr Madill said.

#RCTBlacks : victoire 68-21 du @RCTofficiel devant 10872 spectateurs à Mayol ! pic.twitter.com/1wAdNYNcnq

— RCT - RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) October 7, 2015

Victoire 68 à 21 pour @RCTofficiel face aux @ClassicAllBlack. Match de gala en hommage à Jerry Collins. #RCTBlacks pic.twitter.com/6jNGUpCmAI

— Emerick (@RicoRct) October 7, 2015

Former All Blacks and Hurricanes teammate Neemia Tialata tweeted an image of his jersey before the game.

Great to be reunited with the brothers again #ForYouJc #ForBabyAyla @ClassicAllBlack 👌🏽🙏🏽😘 pic.twitter.com/wlGe0RE7nz

— Neemia Tialata (@NeemiaTialata) October 7, 2015

Meanwhile, Ayla is doing "very well"."She continues to show steady progress with the various specialists she sees and we are very optimistic for her future," Mr Madill said.

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"She's well-loved here and of course the Collins family in New Zealand keep in touch and have visited here in Canada to spend time with her and get to know her and that's really important to us both."

Collins played briefly for Toulon after his test career ended at the 2007 World Cup. Proceeds from the game in Toulon go to the Jerry Collins Memorial Fund.

Collins played two full seasons with Toulon under his great friend Tama Umaga in 2008 and 2009.

His manager and mate Tim Castle helped organise the tribute along with Andy Haden, the "rangatira" of the Classic All Blacks.

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It was Haden who was instrumental in bringing together the famous names for the emotional send-off.

"[Haden] and the players have been very respectful of the two families' interests and wishes," he said.

"It really does reconnect us all to the past, in terms of the ABs, and Jerry's 48 tests, including three as captain, and reminds us of the great heritage the All Blacks has. It was a lovely recognition of Jerry's part in all that, as well as being great support for little Ayla.

"The Collins family, like the Madill family, are most grateful for the continued expressions of support."

Mr Castle was touched by Neemia Tialata's Twitter tribute.

Tialata and Collins were close friends. After the horror accident, Tialata drove several hours from Toulouse to the crash scene.

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"Neemia was hugely important to the comfort of the families, particularly Jerry's family, that he was able to be at Jerry's side, and little Ayla's side, virtually immediately," Mr Castle said.

"These are poignant reminders of how close many of them were."

Jerry would be saying get on with it... remember me, but there is lots to be done so don't swell."

Classic All Blacks: Bruce Reihana, Kendrick Lynn, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, David Smith, Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall; Troy Flavell, Chris Masoe (c), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Carl Hayman, Andrew Hore, Saimone Taumoepeau.
Reserves: Corey Flynn, Franck Tournaire, Hoani Tui, Jason Eaton, Alex Tulou, Kevin Senio, Ben Atiga, Steve Brett, Dean Budd, Orene Ai'i.

Toulon: Delon Armitage, Josua Tuisova, Théo Belan, Maxime Mermoz, Lachlan Turner, Willie Du Plessis, Jonathan Pelissié; Gerhard Vosloo, Steffon Armitage, Juan Smith (c), Romain Taofifénua, Thibault Lassalle, Matt Stevens, Jean Charles Orioli, Xavier Chiocci.
Reserves: Anthony Etrillard, Alexandre Menini, Jocelino Suta, Charles Ollivon, Virgile Bruni, Sireli Bobo, Eric Escande, Mohamed Boughanmi, Julien Caminati, Jimmy Yobo, UJ Seuteni.

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