Rugby: Auckland sign Collins, but surgery awaits him

By WYNNE GRAY

Flanker Justin Collins has signed for Auckland, but whether he is ready for Blues rugby action next season is unclear.

For two years, Collins has played with a tender shoulder believing he had a wear-and-tear rotator cuff problem.

A curious x-ray this year revealed Collins had torn the tendon away from his shoulder, taking some bone fragments with it.

The New Zealand A breakaway is set for an operation as soon as his tour is over, surgery which is expected to involve about four months' rehabilitation.

Before he assembled yesterday with the national squad, Collins revealed that he had signed a three-year deal to shift from Northland to Auckland.

The move was for personal reasons. There had been no inducements or coercion from the big-brother province.

"I have wanted a change for a while really, a change in lifestyle," Collins said. "I have had seven seasons with Northland. My partner lives in Auckland, so I approached Auckland to see if they were interested."

Collins wanted to stay within the Blues' boundaries for the Super 12. He knew there would be a vacancy at Auckland, with Andrew Blowers and Dylan Mika going overseas, and did not want to upset Matua Parkinson and Craig Newby at North Harbour.

Collins has had a big week. Selection for NZ A came first, then a nomination as division-one player of the year, and then his provincial transfer.

Northland chairman Warwick Syers said: "I guess this is part of the professional rugby landscape.

"The move was not instigated by Auckland. It is not a cash issue, but we are disappointed. We put it to Justin that he live and train in Auckland, but play for us. However, that was not in his plans."

Describing his problem, Collins said: "I have been strapping the shoulder for two years. It does not hinder me, but it will be better to get it fixed now we know what's up.

"I had done untold weights and special exercises for my shoulder and it was all a waste of time. The doc says recovery will take about four months."

That will eliminate Collins from early Super 12 matches, a situation Blues coach Gordon Hunter agreed he had to work through.

This year, Hunter was given dispensation to reintroduce Carlos Spencer when the first five-eighths recovered from his serious knee injury.

The Blues may have to ask for a similar indulgence from the NZRFU for the recovering Collins.