All Black Collins to join Toulon

[Cymro]

<div align="center">
All Black Collins to join Toulon

Former New Zealand captain Jerry Collins has signed a three-year contract with French club Toulon.

He becomes the sixth All Black to join the First Division side, following Tana Umaga, Andrew Mehrtens, Anton Oliver, Saimone Taumoepeau and Nathan Mauger.

Collins, 27, will arrive in France next month and is likely to feature in the club's August pre-season friendlies.

The back-row forward ended his career in New Zealand last month when he requested a release from his contract.

Collins had a year left on his deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union but wanted to play abroad.

The former Wellington Hurricanes loose forward made his Test debut against Argentina in Christchurch in 2001 and went on to win 48 caps, including three as captain. His last match for New Zealand was last year's World Cup quarter-final loss to France in Cardiff.

Collins is the 11th player to quit the All Blacks following last year's failed World Cup campaign.

Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Byron Kelleher, Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister and Doug Howlett are all now plying their trade in Europe.

Nick Evans (England) and Reuben Thorne (Japan) have signed contracts to play overseas while Keith Robinson retired through injury.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has a preferred policy of picking players who ply their trade in New Zealand.

Toulon won automatic promotion from the French Second Division, Pro D2, as champions and have a star-studded squad, including former Australia scrum-half George Gregan and World Cup-winning English wing Dan Luger.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7459362.stm
</div>

 

[Sir Speedy]

Seriously, Toulon need to qualify for the Top 14 soon. There are so many great players there that we can't see!

 

[MunsterMan]

I thought they already had?

 

[Sir Speedy]

I thought they already had?
[/b]

Maybe they have? Is there a division between Pro D2 and the Top 14? If not then ignore my post. >_>

 

[fcukernaut]

<div class='quotemain'>
I thought they already had?
[/b]

Maybe they have? Is there a division between Pro D2 and the Top 14? If not then ignore my post. >_> [/b][/quote]

Then I guess we can all ignore your post...I too am very excited to watch this team in action, if for nothing more than nostalgia. If I were Andrew Merhtens I'd be ******. First, Dan Carter takes his place in the Crusaders, then he takes his place in the All Blacks and now he's rumoured to be following him across the other side of the world to take his place in Toulon. Just saying.

 

[Fa'atau82]

Toulon are now in Top14. D2 is the next division down, which is the league they won last season. I think also that Toulon hold the record for the worst top14 season ever, although Auch nearly achieved that this season.

 

[Gavin]

Toulon are now in Top14. D2 is the next division down, which is the league they won last season. I think also that Toulon hold the record for the worst top14 season ever, although Auch nearly achieved that this season. [/b]

Toulon will do well next year in the Top14. They have too many world class players so I expect them to stay in the Top14 for the next few years. Wouldn't be surprised if they qualify for the Heineken Cup and reach the first knockout round. Whatever happens next year we will see world class players taking the field once again, against strong opposition.

 

[danny]

Whatever happened to Collins not being interested in the cash, yeah right. The guys a grabber like every one else.

 

[Cymro]

C'mon danny with Umaga coaching there I highly doubt that many would not go there!

 

[janco]

I can't wait to see Toulon back in top 14

 

[Fa'atau82]

Collins is now enjoying the fruits of his labour like anyone else and you can't blame him for doing that. What would you do? Join Dax?

 

[esoj]

Whatever happened to Collins not being interested in the cash, yeah right. The guys a grabber like every one else. [/b]

I don't think he ever said he wasn't interested in the money. all that he said was he was leaving nz rugby and would wait to confirm his future which he has now done.

 

[danny]

Collins is now enjoying the fruits of his labour like anyone else and you can't blame him for doing that. What would you do? Join Dax?
[/b]

best of luck to him I hope he earns loads of cash and enjoys it, Im no commie!

 

[Fa'atau82]

I am dissapointed he didn't go to Barnstaple to be honest. I mean, he coud have been a star. Hmm i guess he went for the luxury team bus, not the changing room smelling ford fiesta.

There'd be nothing greater than having won a big game emphatically against your local town rivals with Jerry and you sharing the finer points of your 90m interception try you scored whilst the whole minibus reeks of changing room favourite, Deep Heat.

That story you could tell to your grandchildren and their childrens childrens children.

 

[shtove]

Should have gone to Munster, the other home-from-home for NZers. Now he'll just get a loser's medal in HEC 09.

 

[Cymro]

Be interesting to see Anton Oliver's position at the club becuase he is going to study in Oxford and attempt to become an Oxford Blue!

 

[Charles]

I can't wait to see Toulon back in top 14 [/b]

Yeah me too ! :bana: :bana: :bana:

 

[elgringoborracho]

Should have gone to Munster, the other home-from-home for NZers. Now he'll just get a loser's medal in HEC 09. [/b]

Apparently Toulon paid more ! And maybe Collins wants to see the sun once in a while...

 

[MDickie]

Great signing, I think Jerry will excel in NH rugby.