An asterisk seemed to accompany Jerry Collins career.
A broken leg, hip injuries, social indiscretions, blunt language, power and aggression-they were all parts of Collins' career before he skipped away to Europe after six years of international combat.
Collins was touted as a rich prospect during his teenage years and
in between some injury episodes made his All Black debut before he was 21. The man with the Wellington coloured hairstyle was ultra proud of his capital origins.
He had a tough upbringing and delivered his unique take on international rugby and life at the top. Right between the eyes was Collins' form. There were no frilly bits, no blurred lines. He thought it, he said it, he felt it, he did it-often to his detriment when age slowed him in as he went through his offshore stints.
Collins was as rough and rugged as anyone in the game, a throwback to earlier times when only the toughest survived. He was not to everyone's taste but Graham Henry and his selectors thought enough of the man and his skill to pick him as captain for several matches.
