Jerry Collins has died in a car crash

First topic message reminder :

http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/69152950/Former-All-Black-Jerry-Collins-killed-in-car-accident-in-France-local-media-reports-say

Former All Black Jerry Collins has died in a car crash in France, according to New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The All Blacks said on Twitter they are "shocked and saddened" by the news.

The hard-tackling former Ospreys blind-side flanker had been playing for Narbonne in France's second division.

Former All Black Jerry Collins and his wife Alana Madill have died in a car crash in France, according to French newspaper Le Figaro.

The crash took place on a stretch of highway in the Herault department. It is believed two others, understood to be Portuguese, have been injured in the crash involving a bus.

Collins’s three-month-old daughter has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition.

The 34-year old Collins had most recently been playing for Racing Club Narbonne in the French second division, but played 47 Tests for the All Blacks between 2001 and 2007, as well as 85 matches for the Hurricanes and 47 for Wellington.

Collins is a cousin of former All Blacks captain and Hurricanes teammate Tana Umaga.

Shortly ago the official twitter channel of the All Blacks posted their condolences, with many from the rugby fraternity also sharing their sorrow.

Just saw Jed Thians post on Twitter

‏@jedthian
Well if Rugby is the game they play in heaven...it just a got lot more f-ing dangerous... #RIPJerryCollins

Sad news indeed.

Nothing to add. Puts some of the pointless bickering on this forum into perspective though.

RIP a legend of the game, Jerry Collins and thoughts to his family and his daughter!

RIP Jerry. Been a very sad year for sports people being lost too early, hope his child pulls through.

RIP Jerry and his wife. A legend of the game and from all accounts a really good person. Absolutely hope his child makes it through and lives

Amazing sight here, Chris Masoe paying tribute to JC tonight

GLove39 wrote:Amazing sight here, Chris Masoe paying tribute to JC tonight

Yes, that was a brilliant thing to do.

GLove39 wrote:Amazing sight here, Chris Masoe paying tribute to JC tonight

The thing that gets me about this photo, is that Masoe just as much as any other flanker would have put the pressure on Collins for selections, and they would have spent a lot of time in others company..a stunning, stunning photo.

Here's a good video telling the story about Jerry Collins turning out for Barnstaple 2nds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MqNs8DuRrng

Great guy, such a sad day today,

RIP Jerry, very sad, that Barnstaple story makes him sound like a top bloke.

Apologies if this has already been posted but I was going to ask if a story i read about him ages ago was true or apocryphal. It basically said he stopped doing weights for his biceps for a period because his arms got so big he thought they were hindering him from wrapping in the tackle (?!). Could be BS but i really, really want it to be true. Complete warrior.

Might be true. In his ABs days his arms were huge! He retired from international duty quite early didn't he, 28?

Just read on the BBC that their child is only 10 months old

nathan wrote:Just read on the BBC that their child is only 10 months old

I think she is 10 weeks. Fingers crossed for her.

MichaelT wrote:

nathan wrote:Just read on the BBC that their child is only 10 months old

I think she is 10 weeks. Fingers crossed for her.

ah yes, sorry i misread it. Hopefully she will pull through.

Someone has started to raise a fund for their daughter. If you can, please donate.

https://givealittle.co.nz/project/ayla