All Blacks hard man Jerry Collins is not one to shirk the work. So when the Hurricanes bowed out of the Super 12 and he had a weekend off before he had to assemble for the trial in Napier, what did he do? He played some club rugby, that's what.
That's Collins for you. First, he's incredibly loyal to his Northern United club and second, he likes to keep in the rugby groove if at all possible.
So when the Canes finished their Super 12 with that disappointing 7-47 semifinal defeat to the Crusaders, Collins just had to get back out on the field and work out a bit of that frustration.
"We would have liked to have done better in the Super 12," he told XtraMSN Rugby from the All Blacks hotel this week. "But the spirits are in good shape and that competition's gone now and we're all looking forward to the next challenge with the All Blacks."
As Collins prepares in Auckland this week for the season-opening Philips test against Fiji at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night, he for one can't wait for the international year to finally get under way.
"The year goes pretty fast," he notes. "Just like every year there are a few nerves flying round for the first test of the year. With the public being the way they are they want us on song straight away."
At 24 and with 20 tests already under his belt, Collins shapes as an important figure for the All Blacks in the upcoming DHL Lions Series. He's likely to provide much of the physical impact in the loose trio from his now accustomed spot in the No 6 jersey, not to mention be responsible for any grafting that needs be done.
And the 1.91m, 108kg Wellingtonian reckons Fiji shapes as an ideal hitout to get it all under way.
"It's great," he says. "Not only for Fiji rugby with a team of their calibre coming here, but as they showed last weekend (in a 27-29 loss to New Zealand Maori) they're still a force to be reckoned with.
"Their rugby seems to be getting stronger and stronger. It's a good start to the year for us."
And Collins is adamant that he and his team-mates will not have one eye on the team wearing red and capturing a fair bit of attention round the country at the moment.
"You have got to have the blinkers on against these boys (Fiji)," he said. "They hit pretty hard, and whoever they're playing they play it pretty hard too. Looking too far forward is not going to help any of us."
Besides, Collins reckons it's an intriguing comparison as the Lions and All Blacks go about their business of getting ready for the upcoming tests.
"We're just like them. They had their first game the other day, and they're a bit rusty which is quite normal. Any team that hasn't played together is going to take a while to click.
"[Fiji] is an ideal team for is to do it against. We've got a huge amount of respect for them for the X-factor they do hold and the calibre of players they do have."
And as one of the more senior figures in an All Black pack that will feature two debutants in the starting XV and another coming off the bench, Collins will have a simple message for the new boys.
"We're all in the same boat because you never know when it's going to be your last test," he says. "Against Fiji we've just got to go out and play hard, because they will. And if you don't you might not be here next week I suppose."
The hard-hitting Hurricane says the number of All Black squad contenders also playing on Saturday night for the Maori just adds to the tension over what is effectively a final trial weekend ahead of the DHL Series.
"We're all on level pegging and as a player you've just got to make sure you're up there with your performance."
The All Blacks' match against Fiji kicks off at North Harbour Stadium at 7.10pm.
NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Tana Umaga (c), 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Ali Williams, 4 James Ryan, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Derren Witcombe, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Campbell Johnstone, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Justin Marshall, 21 Conrad Smith, 22 Sosene Anesi.
FIJI: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Vilimoni Delasau, 13 Viliame Satala, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Sireli Bobo, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Mosese Rauluni (c); 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7-Aca Ratuva 6 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 5 Isoa Domolailai, 4 Akuila Matanibukaca, 3 Bill Cavubati, 2 Viliame Gadolo, 1 Joe Bale. Reserves: Jacob Rauluni, Epeli Ruivadra/Joe Tora, Sunia Koto, Jone Railomo, Jone Qovu, Sam Tabua, Seva Rokobara.
thanks
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12416-4456291,00.html
. The AB's are staying in the same hotel and are usually out going through there drills in the afternoon.
