Former All Black Jerry Collins killed in car crash | CNN

Former All Black Jerry Collins killed in car crash

Hilary Whiteman
By Hilary Whiteman, CNN
2 minute read
Published 6:23 AM EDT, Fri June 5, 2015
Jerry Collins was killed in a car crash in southern France Friday morning. His wife Alana Madill was also killed and their two-month-old baby was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Jerry Collins was killed in a car crash in southern France Friday morning. His wife Alana Madill was also killed and their two-month-old baby was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
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Collins, 34, made his New Zealand debut in 2001. Far right, he performs the haka with his teammates prior to the 2007 World Cup match against Portugal.
Collins, 34, made his New Zealand debut in 2001. Far right, he performs the haka with his teammates prior to the 2007 World Cup match against Portugal.
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images
A Hurricanes fan holds a banner in memory of Collins during the Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders. He played for the club between 2001 and 2008.
A Hurricanes fan holds a banner in memory of Collins during the Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders. He played for the club between 2001 and 2008.
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Collins was a popular figure in the sport and Ospreys, another former club, said: "He was his own man, a true individual and a giant of the world game. Jerry will be sadly missed by everybody in rugby, his family and friends." Here he poses with the DHL Lions Series Trophy after the third test between the British and Irish Lions and the New Zealand All Blacks.
Collins was a popular figure in the sport and Ospreys, another former club, said: "He was his own man, a true individual and a giant of the world game. Jerry will be sadly missed by everybody in rugby, his family and friends." Here he poses with the DHL Lions Series Trophy after the third test between the British and Irish Lions and the New Zealand All Blacks.
Dean Treml/Getty Images
The All Blacks said on Twitter they were "shocked and saddened" to hear of his death. While former teammate Rodney So'oialo said it was a "very sad day to hear a teammate, and our very good friend Jerry Collins has passed."
The All Blacks said on Twitter they were "shocked and saddened" to hear of his death. While former teammate Rodney So'oialo said it was a "very sad day to hear a teammate, and our very good friend Jerry Collins has passed."
Dean Treml/Getty Images
Former All Blacks Star Jerry Collins dies

Story highlights

Jerry Collins killed with his partner in car crash in France

Former All Black played 48 tests for national team

CNN  — 

New Zealand rugby star Jerry Collins and his partner, Alana Madill, have been killed in a car crash in France.

The accident has orphaned the couple’s three-month-old baby daughter, Ayla, who is in critical condition in hospital.

Collins’ long-term manager Tim Castle issued a statement on behalf of the former All Black’s family which said they were “distraught at the death of a much-loved son, brother and friend, and his partner Alana.”

“I have been in touch with Jerry’s father Frank and other members of his family who are in Samoa at the moment,” Castle said.

“It’s obviously a terribly difficult time for them and together with New Zealand Rugby we are doing all we can to support them.”

Born in Samoa, the 34-year-old loose forward made his Super Rugby debut with the Hurricanes and then the All Blacks, New Zealand’s national team, in 2001, according to the team’s website.

He played 74 games for the Hurrricanes and 50 for the All Blacks, including 48 tests, before retiring after the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Collins left New Zealand in 2008 to play rugby in Japan and France, where he signed with the Narbonne club earlier this year.

Tributes flowed in from the rugby world and beyond.

“Jerry Collins is an undisputed legend of the game,” said Greg Peters, the chief executive of SANZAR – South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby.

“He inspired all of those around him with his passion and love for the game throughout a highly decorated career for club and country.”

Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver praised him as “right up there with the all-time great players to wear the All Black jersey.”