All Blacks hardman Jerry Collins has retired from New Zealand rugby, saying the time is right to move on.
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“Actually from today, I am unemployed,” Collins, 27, told a press conference at New Zealand Rugby Union headquarters in Wellington today.
His future plans remain a mystery, perhaps even to him, although there has been conjecture he will move to play in France.
The All Blacks and Hurricanes blindside flanker’s last act was to plonk over a last minute conversion in the Hurricanes’ Super 14 semifinal defeat by the Crusaders on Saturday.
Collins was contracted to the end of next year but with NZRU and Wellington union support, managed to achieve the “dignified exit” he desired.
He also pointed out that a player could not negotiate with other (overseas) clubs while contracted to the NZRU.
“This is something that I have thought about for a while.
“I have played 10 years in one province, it’s a hard place to leave having earned my bread here.
“But it’s something everybody goes through — you sit at your desk and wonder could I be somewhere else but those thoughts pass and you never change.
“I’ve just decided that it is probably the right time for me to bow out and I didn’t make lightly. It is something I am happy with.”
He said the passion for the All Blacks and the Hurricanes still burned but “it was the time in between” that had led him to his decision.
“I suppose I do the majority of my thinking when I am not in camp,” he said.
Mike
Guest
Next to Frank Bunce this was one of the hardest farewells from an AB fans perspective. But World Cup cycles always bring in new blood the first year after the tournament. Some are just harder to take than others. My hope is that the vacuum creates a hunger for the position that raises the new #6's game beyond his level.
eric
Guest
Glenn, Robbie Kempson was the man, Bok prop. What I liked about Collins was that he developed as a player. He started off as nothing more than a clean-out missile, with robotic ball skills, but he developed into a reasonable ball player. He also became a better ball scavenger at breakdowns.
matta
Guest
Glen - my memory tells me you are thinking of the wrong fella... wasnt the cheapshot that ended Kefus career from a Saffer? Anyway, Jerry was a top player who just always seemed to go missing in BIG BIG games - but hes not the only AB guilty of that.
Glenn Condell
Guest
He pretty much ended Toutai Kefu's career with that hit across the back - it was a passing of the mantle from one feared hard man to the next. But he did always seem a good bloke off the pitch. Happy trails Jerry - we'll miss you even if our inside backs don't.
True Tah
Guest
JC was a throwback to the old school rugby player, one of the hardest men on the paddock, but a legend off it. Despite being a professional rugby player, he still worked as a garbage collector for the Wellington City Council. When he was holidaying in the UK, he was in a pub and agreed to turn out for the 2nd grade side of the local rugby team. A heap of other professional sportsmen could take a leaf of of JC's book. Nothing but respect for the man from my end - best of luck with your future JC.
Mark
Guest
Ben C, probably more like guys with a few years left in them deciding to go early & take their chances when they come back. Worked for McDonald & my call is that we'll see a lot more players go O/S in their early mid 20's, set themselves up financilly, then come back better & older ready to paly their way into the AB's. It's what happened with McDonald, & sort of hapened with Flavell. It's a natural progression of a professional sport.
Blinky Bill - Bellingen
Guest
Hats off to a bloke that played with passion and skill. Good luck.
stillmissit
Guest
What a great player. One of the few, like Umunga, who just got better as he went along. He personified what good forward rugby is all about hard tough stuff and no quarter asked or given. Never heard anything but good things about him off the pitch. Playing for some 3 rate pommie outfit was just a great story. Wonder if he will join Umunga in France?
Ben C
Guest
Is it entirely coincidence that so many All Blacks/fringe test players are up and leaving NZ (far more than in Aus and SA) following the magical mystery tour otherwise known as the Graham Henry rotation policy? Has the almost random assigning of All Black jersyes dimmed the mystical lure that it once held?
haydenl
Roar Rookie
A guy who plays rugby the way it should be played. Hard as nails on the field and a gentleman of the game off it. Some spoilt overpaid players currently running around could learn from him.
mudskipper
Roar Rookie
Good luck Jerry and thanks for all the great rugby...
Greg
Guest
Can the last All Black leaving please close the door!
tongstar
Guest
what a great player. one of my fav all blacks of recent yrs. good luck to him in whatever he ends up doing.