Porirua rugby legend remembered as Hurricanes prepare for Super Rugby showdown.
The Hurricanes will take the spirit of Porirua’s own Jerry Collins with them onto Sky Stadium this Friday night, as they face off against fierce rivals, the Crusaders.
In a powerful tribute ahead of the 11 April clash, Collins’ father, Frank, and sister, Brenda, presented the team jerseys during an emotional ceremony. The moment comes as the 10-year anniversary of Collins’ tragic death approaches in June.
Collins, a proud product of Porirua, played 85 matches for the Hurricanes and 48 tests for the All Blacks. His legacy lives on, not only in the renaming of Jerry Collins Stadium at Porirua Park but also in the hearts of the rugby community.
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said the idea to involve the Collins family came from wanting to reconnect the team with its whakapapa.
“We showed some highlights of Jerry playing and his dad told a few stories,” Laidlaw said. “When you hear those stories, it inspires the boys to play the way he played — with heart and courage.”
Peter Umaga-Jensen, set to play his 50th Hurricanes match, reflected on Collins’ mana.
“It means more than rugby,” Umaga-Jensen said. “It was special seeing his family there — hopefully, we can do a job for him this week.”
Extra Trains, Bigger Buses for Fans Heading to the Game
With a big crowd expected for Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific blockbuster, Metlink is stepping up its services to help fans travel to and from Sky Stadium.
Trains on the Kāpiti, Hutt Valley, and Johnsonville lines will run with extra capacity, and additional post-match services will operate to ease the journey home.
Core bus routes will also see larger buses in service, while the East-by-West ferry will run on its usual timetable.
Metlink recommends using a Snapper card for discounted fares and smoother boarding.
“Plan ahead, travel early, and check the Metlink app or website for real-time updates,” a Metlink spokesperson said.
Game Details
- Match: Hurricanes vs Crusaders
- When: Friday, 11 April, 7.05pm
- Where: Sky Stadium, Wellington
- Transport: Extra Metlink trains, larger buses
- Coverage: Sky Sport 1, live updates on Stuff.co.nz