John Collins, former Poverty Bay rugby great and 1964-65 All Black, has died after a short illness. He was 68.
At 19, he made his debut for Poverty Bay against East Coast. He served in the Army in Malaysia for three years from 1961 and on hisreturn was selected in the NZ Maori team. He was part of an outstanding backline alongside Mac Herewini and Ron Rangi, who was also to become an All Black.
Collins played in the first test against Australia in 1964, which the All Blacks won 14-9, but he suffered a back injury and could not play in the next two tests. The NZ Rugby Almanack said he was Poverty Bay's outstanding performer.
