Marist-St Pat’s remembers Jerry Collins
John Holden
At Marist-St Pats Rugby Club’s annual ‘Keeping the Faith’ Mass at St Patrick’s College, Sunday 7 June 2015, prayers were offered for College old boy Jerry Collins, his partner Alana Madill and for the recovery of their seriously injured three-month-old daughter Ayla.
Jerry spent three successful years in the St Patrick’s College 1st XV from 1996 to 1998. As early as 14 it was obvious he was a serious rugby talent, playing fullback for the North’s U19 team.
In 1996, as a fifth former, he made the Wellington U19s and was a member of the 1st XV, which won 20 out of 26 games. In 1997, the St Pat’s 1st XV had another successful season, winning 15 of 19 games. Collins made the New Zealand Schools’ team, winning College Sport Wellington’s supreme award for his abrasive and peerless play. That year he was the College Sport Wellington Sportsman of the Year.
In 1998, Collins was again successful with the St Pat’s 1st XV,winning 14 of 20 games. Collins was again selected for the New Zealand Schools’ team. New Zealand beat Australia and Collins won the Bronze Boot Award as the best player in the test match.
Collins made his All Black debut in 2001, playing 48 tests until 2007 and captained the All Blacks three times.
John Holden is Chairman Marist St Pat’s Rugby Football Club.