Rugby: Collins rues fallout on his future

By WYNNE GRAY

Justin Collins has a variety of subjects on his wish-list. Some he craves, while the others he would like to never have happened.

He rues taking Northland's last conversion in their Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury, in what seemed to be his farewell gesture to New Zealand rugby.

At the time it seemed a good idea to "kick the rumour mill into gear again."

The fallout did not vindicate the mischief, as a furore about Collins' dual eligibility to play for New Zealand and the Wallabies erupted again.

It came as Greg Keenan, an agent working for Collins in Australia, revealed that the flanker had signed with the Australian Rugby Union and Waratahs for three years.

It seemed Collins could not wait until the end of this month when the All Blacks and New Zealand A sides to tour Europe will be announced.

After a few days out of circulation since that attempted conversion, he spoke to the Herald yesterday to clarify his ideas.

He went to the wish-list again.

"If George Speight hadn't got involved none of this would have happened," he said.

In the middle of the year Collins was chosen, for the first time, to play for the New Zealand A side against Fiji. However, the coup meant that was cancelled.

Technically, Collins was eligible for New Zealand and Australia as he was born in Tasmania, although living in NZ since a young age.

About that time, Collins started to look at his insurance policy contract.

"My preference is to play for New Zealand, but if I am overlooked for New Zealand honours then I will be leaving," he confirmed.

Collins claimed he was insuring his future rather than holding New Zealand rugby to ransom after uneventful discussions with the NZRFU earlier this season.

"I got the feeling they were not interested in me, so that was why I went ahead with this other scheme."

That deal had been sorted out about the start of the NPC.

But Collins was adamant that selection for either of the New Zealand squads going to Europe would nullify his Australian agreement.

"I can get out, there is an escape clause," he said.

Australian Rugby Union contracts manager Jeff Miller said he and chief executive John O'Neill were reviewing the case after the latest publicity.

"I have spoken to Justin once and will speak to him again soon," Miller said.

While there was no other comment, indications were that the ARU would withdraw from hiring a player not totally committed to the Wallaby cause.

Collins accepted that there had been some confusion, but his career was at the crossroads and he had to progress while he was playing his best rugby.

The retirement of experienced All Black Josh Kronfeld had improved his odds of getting chosen for one of the New Zealand sides.

Collins is grateful for one thing. While he would have loved being in the NPC playoffs, he also appreciates the time to get over the rigours of the season.

"It does knock you round," he said.

"That game against Canterbury - they had the majority of possession and we had to do plenty of tackling and hitting rucks.

"I will rest this week, then get back into fitness and strength programmes because if I get selected I can't have dropped off in any of those areas."