Rugby: First test to honour son of Apia

Former All Black, Dylan Mika. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks' historic test debut in Samoa will take on fresh poignancy after Jerry Collins' death.

The men in black will take on Manu Samoa on July 8 in Apia, Collins' birthplace.

It is the first time the side has played in Samoa in their 112-year history and will now also become a celebration of Collins' life and rugby career.

Confirmation of the test last September had created mass celebrations in the tiny Pacific Island nation, as well as New Zealand's large Polynesian community.

Spokesmen for the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby yesterday said it was too soon to confirm how they would honour the rugby hardman who played 48 tests from 2001 to 2007.

But the 34-year-old's courage, pride and commitment in the black jersey will be officially remembered.

Fellow former All Black flanker Dylan Mika revealed last night that Collins - a close friend of his - had been in talks with the Samoan Rugby Union to try to represent his birth nation.

Collins had dreamt of wearing the Manu Samoa jersey at this year's Rugby World Cup in the UK.

The International Rugby Union's eligibility rules meant that hope was not a possibility.

But if he had played for the Samoan Sevens team in the 2015 IRB Sevens World Series, he would have been eligible for his birth nation's bid for a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

"He was a true gentleman, a scholar of the game and is going to be truly missed by New Zealand rugby, people in Japan, France and also the Pacific Islands," Mika told the Herald on Sunday.

"He was having meetings with the Samoan Rugby Union. He had a lot to offer them with his experience and mana. He was really keen to put up his hand."