Rugby: The day Collins played for Barnstaple

Former All Black Jerry Collins. Photo / Getty Images.

Eight years ago Jerry Collins stunned a collection of butchers, bakers and farmers in Newton Abbot when the All Black turned up to play in an English low-level league match.

Here is the story reported in the Daily Telegraph on November 1, 2007.

The amateurs of Newton Abbot's second XV had the shock of their lives when they turned up for a game and discovered that the All Blacks' Jerry Collins was playing for the opposition.

The 6ft 3in, 17-stone flanker - nicknamed 'The Terminator' for his ferocious tackling - turned out for rival Devon side Barnstaple against a stunned group of butchers, builders and bricklayers from Newton Abbot.

Collins, the hard man of the New Zealand back row and the proud owner of the biggest biceps in their squad, ran in a storming try and made three try-saving tackles during his 55 minutes on the pitch, helping Barnstaple to a 21-7 away victory in the Devon Merit Table fixture.

The Samoan-born Collins, 26, took part in the match after bumping into Barnstaple's head coach, Kevin Squire, while on holiday in Devon.

Squire was enjoying a meal in a restaurant when he spotted the All Black. "I did a double-take when I saw who it was and knew I had to introduce myself," he said.

"He was very polite and unassuming. We talked for several minutes and I mentioned the club and invited him to come down and watch a game, but of course never expected him to turn up. He did though and even coached a session with the under-14 side, who were completely awe-struck.

"I told him we had a match coming up and he was welcome to join us, but again I was gobsmacked when he showed up to catch the bus with the rest of the players.

"It was very surreal for the lads as they are all amateurs - most of them are builders, bricklayers, plumbers and so on. He had even been to a sports store to buy a pair of boots."

Squire said his new recruit dropped down a gear to fit in with the standard of the game. "Jerry didn't play up his superstar status but was really one of the lads," he said.

"He didn't crunch into them like he could have done - they would have gone flying. He adapted his level of play to suit the game like a proper gentleman.

"It was a wonderful experience for all the players to play alongside such a big name in international rugby, even for the guys in the other team."

Newton Abbot coach Phil Burford said his side were "quite taken aback" when Barnstaple showed up with Collins in tow. "I think the second-team lads were pinching themselves after playing with such an icon," he said.

"After the match he was inundated with fans asking for pictures and autographs and he was happy to do it. He was a true professional."