All Blacks Legend Jerry Collins Was Found With His Arms Around His Baby Daughter

Former All Black star Jerry Collins was remembered as a hero by fellow rugby legends following a touching memorial service on Wednesday.

Collins, 34, and his Canadian partner Alana Madill, 35, were killed in a car crash in the south of France on June 5. Their four-month-old daughter Alya is still in a serious but stable condition.

Past and presents rugby figures including Jonah Lomu, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams were joined by thousands of mourners at a touching service at Te Rauparaha Arena, in his hometown of Porirua on Wednesday.

All Black legend Lomu said the way Collins sacrificed his life for his daughter demonstrated the type of man he was.

'Listening to the reports and what they say about how they found him – that he was protecting his baby – that's just typical Jerry,' Lomu said.

'He was a proud Porirua boy, a proud Samoan, but more importantly he was just a great man.'

Former All Black Chris Masoe said: 'When you realised what was coming and you protected Ayla from the impact with your arms and your whole body over her ... you made it possible for her to have a chance. That's the man you are.'


Source: www.dailymail.co.uk