Rugby fraternity shocked by Collins’ death

Cape Town - Tributes have flocked in for former All Black loose forward Jerry Collins, who has died in a car crash.

Reports from France suggest Collins, 34, and his wife died in the French region of Herault when their car came to an unexplained stop on the A9 highway, before being hit by a bus.

The couple were travelling with their three-month-old daughter, who survived the accident but is in a serious condition.

He played 48 Tests for the All Blacks between 2001 and 2007, as well as 85 matches for the Hurricanes and 47 for Wellington.

He joined French club Toulon after the 2007 Rugby World Cup and since then represented Welsh club Ospreys (2009-2011) and Japanese club Yamaha Jubilo (2011-2013).

Collins recently signed a contract as a Medical Joker to play in the French ProD2 with Racing Club Narbonne. He was injury cover for Rocky Elsom.

Current and former rugby players expressed their shock at Collins’ untimely passing on social networking site, Twitter on Friday:

My heart and sadness goes out to jerry's wife and her family. And also to the collins family.. alofa atu!!

— Piri Weepu (@piriweepu) June 5, 2015

Such sad news about Jerry, his wife & baby.... R.I.P Hitman... ??

— Cory Jane (@CoryJane1080) June 5, 2015

We are shocked and saddened by reports about the accident involving Jerry.

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) June 5, 2015

Really sad news about Jerry Collins and Alana Madill. Thoughts with their families. #jerrycollins

— David Pocock (@pocockdavid) June 5, 2015

Such sad news about Jerry #KingOfPorirua

— Alby Mathewson (@AlbyMathewson) June 5, 2015

We are shocked and saddened to hear of Jerry and his wife's passing tonight. Our thoughts & prayers are with the family and baby Ayla...

— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) June 5, 2015

Our thoughts are with the family of ex-All Black #JerryCollins. Collins has sadly passed away in a car crash https://t.co/or8mWkLqfP

— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) June 5, 2015

Terrible news to wake up to about Jerry Collins and his wife's passing ?? keeping his family and friends in my thoughts and prayers ??

— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) June 5, 2015

Very sad to hear about the news of @AllBlacks #jerrycollins and partner! praying for the families involved! ?? #hitman

— Pierre Spies (@Pierrespies8) June 5, 2015