Huge crowd expected for Jerry Collins' memorial service

Former All Black Jerry Collins will be farewelled this week. Photo / Getty Images

Preparations are underway for the main memorial service for Jerry Collins in his hometown tomorrow.

The former All Black's funeral will be held at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua and a big crowd is expected to pack the arena.

Former All Black and Northern United (Norths) club coaching co-ordinator Stephen Bachop said another big crowd was expected tomorrow after the huge turnout for Collins at Sunday's memorial walk and the Norths events last night.

Mr Bachop said club members would most likely all make their own way to the Arena.

All Blacks manager Darren Shand has been invited to speak at tomorrow's service. A spokesman for the All Blacks said the Collins family were running the funeral service and arranging speakers.

Minister of Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga will also attend the funeral.

However, details of who will speak at the funeral are not expected to be released until shortly before the service tomorrow.

Collins' cousin and fellow former All Black Tana Umaga accompanied his body as it was repatriated from France.

The rugby star, 34, and his partner Alana Madill were killed in a car crash in France earlier this month.

Collins' agent Tim Castle has confirmed Alana's father Darrell and older sister Nora will attend the service tomorrow.

Ms Madill and Collins' baby daughter Ayla was in a stable but "worrying" condition overnight, French authorities said.

"The child's condition remains worrying but hasn't changed," said Yvon Calvet, the Beziers public prosecutor.

Ayla's condition has not improved in the six days since the prosecutor's last public statement.

Donors have pledged more than $40,000 to the Jerry Collins Memorial Fund on the Givealittle website.