Tributes flow for Jerry Collins

Tributes are flowing in for ex-All Black Jerry Collins. Photo / NZ Herald

Tributes have begun to flow in for ex-All Black Jerry Collins and his partner Alana Madill who have been killed in a car accident in France.

SEND US YOUR MEMORIES AND TRIBUTES TO JERRY COLLINS

"It's really horrible, really sad. I guess for me he epitomises the word tough and the game of rugby and I just really feel for his family."
- Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph

"Can I just shout out to Frank Collins and the family, just from the boys. Jerry was one of the toughest guys who ever put this jersey on and we know that. We're going to play in his honour tonight. This is a shout out to his family- we're thinking about you and [you have our] love and prayers."
- Hurricanes assistant coach Richard Watt

"I was there when Jerry made his All Black debut. It's a travesty for the rugby world. He's one of us, he's an All Black and he will be missed, terribly missed; gone too young, as we see the Hurricanes who he played for. They will be feeling it as well. It's a sad loss and we certainly offer our deepest sympathies as a rugby community to Jerry and Alana's family and wish them all the very best."
-Justin Marshall

People from around the world have written in with their tributes and memories of the rugby legend.

"You didn't know me but me and my whole country knew you. I'm all teary eyed. Your daughter is in my prayers."
- Beki

"You will be dearly missed BIG MAN.......Rest in peace. All the way from South Africa! AB for ever"
- Ralph Van Der Merwe

"Huge loss. Condolences to the whanau and friend's. Loving thoughts to their daughter."
- Ana Mcgill

"Thoughts and prayers are with the Collins family on the loss of Jerry and his wife. He was a much loved icon within NZ and the world. A huge loss and at such a young age, much love to his daughter who is still in hospital and his immediate family."
- The Ruri Family, Brisbane

"RIP Jerry Collins - One of the Great Loosies ever played.. Hard to believe."
- Ruwan Vidabapathirana

"We will never forget his Guinness haircut with the bleached hair. Irish rugby fans across our nation are mourning today, be strong New Zealand. Go well Jerry brother. A true hero, love from Ireland."
- Paddy

"I was walking through Wellington before the NZ V Lions Test a few years ago, everyone was wearing winter woollies, NOT Jerry, shorts Jandals, that man was tough!"
- Graham Hutton

"Jerry was an amazing player, Hurricanes and All Black, a man of power and direction (the opposition line with no deviation. He was always thrilling to watch. I am stunned and saddened at the loss of such an inspiring player. My deepest sympathies to his family, colleagues and friends."
- Philip Browne

"It is with a sad heart that I pay my condolences to the extended family of Jerry Collins and his wife. May his daughter be healed. RIP iconic All Blacks player, you will always be remembered."
- C.S. Constance, South Africa

"We are going to miss you my hero.... R.I.P... Manuia lau malaga uso male faletua.."
- Lafo Salima

"R.I.P Jerry . Great man .One of the hardness tacklers and the hardness to tackle. Respected on and off the field ,the true example of hard work and determination. The one man wrecking crew. Like many growing watching him play, I dyed the hair on the top of my head bleach cause believed it would make me play like one of my idols, it didn't but was intimidating to my opponents. Remember how Jerry had to reduce the size of his biceps cause he felt it interfered with his tackling."
- Fabian Ontong

"You will be sadly missed, what a tragedy. Everyone in Australia thought you were the hardest tackler ever! RIP Jerry."
- Kelvin Fair

"One best rugby player all time rest in peace my bro."
- Craig Higgins

"Jerry Collins was killed? This cannot be true. One of the saddest day I feel. Only the other day when I watched Hurricanes played Chiefs I was wondering how Jerry Collins was doing in France. He was one of my favourite all blacks. Sad, sad and sad with buckets of tears."
- Wendy

" On behalf of Rugby Southland. A great flanker in NZ Rugby. Jerry will be surely be missed not just from his home country of Samoa, not just from the Wellington Rugby Union, not also just from the Hurricanes franchise but from the whole country of New Zealand He'll be missed."

"Thanks for all the great sporting moments you and the abs gave us, I am gutted."
- Gary Clapham

"Rip in peace Jerry and partner god bless your baby."
- Donna Feaver

"I remember you coming on your own into the Red Back in London on my first night out. Seeing you acting casual and trying to blend in was Classic! I'll never forget seeing you in real life. RIP Bigman can't believe you are gone."
- M Opuarik

Social media has also been flooded with people sharing their shock over the news.

We are shocked and saddened by reports about the accident involving Jerry.

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) June 5, 2015

Struggling to think that its happened.. dont want to believe it!!

— Piri Weepu (@piriweepu) June 5, 2015

Noooooooooooo.... Faaaarout this is so sad... Everyone pray for Jerry Collins & his wifes baby who survived... This is devastating news

— Stan Walker (@1stanwalker) June 5, 2015

Such sad news about Jerry, his wife & baby....
R.I.P Hitman... 👼

— Cory Jane (@CoryJane1080) June 5, 2015

Don't want to believe it

— keven_mealamu (@kevenmealamu) June 5, 2015

Really sad news about Jerry Collins and Alana Madill. Thoughts with their families. #jerrycollins

— David Pocock (@pocockdavid) June 5, 2015

Love you uso, May God look after your little one #thehitman

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) June 5, 2015

We plan to go out there tonight and honour the hell out of Hurricane No. 82. RIP Jerry, you will always be a huge part of the Canes legacy.

— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) June 5, 2015

Said to hear reports of #JerryCollins. The real inforcer! One of the good guys in the rugby community.

— Alando Soakai (@alandosoakai) June 5, 2015

In sorrow over the death of Jerry Collins can we first give him his proper All Black title? We have lost a former unbeaten AB test CAPTAIN!

— Keith Quinn (@KeithQuinn88) June 5, 2015

Really sad to learn what hapenned to Jerry Collins, his wife and daughter! All my thoughts go to their family🙏! #RIPJerryCollins

— Thierry Dusautoir (@TitiDusautoir) June 5, 2015

Very sad day to hear a team mate , and our very good friend Jerry Collins has passed. #allblacklegend #hurricanes

— Rodney So'oialo (@CoachRodderz) June 5, 2015

You were close to our hearts too! RIP Jerry Collins and condolences to all the families involved. #warrior @AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/CcBfNwhRUi

— Springboks (@Springboks) June 5, 2015

We are all No. 6 this weekend.#SuperRugby #RIPJC

— Super Rugby/TRC (@SuperRugby) June 5, 2015