Yahoo!Xtra Sunday Grill: Justin Collins

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Justin Collins has been both an outstanding player and advertisement for all things good about rugby in his 12-season professional career. Injury forced him out of what would have been his farewell to the Super Rugby arena on Saturday; but he says he will depart professional rugby with no regrets.

Q: You have been around the professional arena since 1998. Have you made any decisions about next year?

A: I am leaning right towards this is my last season. I have had a few injury problems in the last few seasons and it has really bloody annoyed me. It might be time to let someone else have a crack at it. I am still really keen to play NPC for Northland this year and finish off with them, with my beloved Taniwha team.

Q: The Blues went into the Super 14 with high hopes. How tough has 2009 been to cop?

A: It has been frustrating. There has been no lack of commitment in our team. But certain things just haven't quite clicked at different times; that has been the hardest thing for us. The injury front is always tough. We have had a particularly harsh blow with injuries this year, we have had to deal with that. It has been a long, hard struggle. We just know that we have one last game and we are happy it is at home, and we are happy that it is against a decent team like the Crusaders.

Q: Justin, you have been around the Super Rugby arena since 1998. Have you ever seen an injury toll like this before?

A: Never. I keep a little bit of an eye on the stats each year. When we won the competition, back in '03, we had an average of one and a half players unavailable per game. This year, I would hate to think what it was. When we have had a bad year previously it has been up to four or five players unavailable. This has been worse still. The hardest thing, sure you have some decent player out, but the hardest thing is to build consistency in the team. You have a different team each week, you are not getting any consistent play. It is a tough one.

Q: As someone who has been around the Super Rugby scene for a hell of a long time, what are your thoughts on the future of the competition? Would you like to see South Africa remain in the competition?

A: Yep. I think the competition as it is, the Sanzar competition, no matter how many teams are in it then it is a great competition. You have three different styles of rugby from the three different countries. Players are able to hone their rugby skills when they play against different players. It makes it a tougher competition having to bring that travel factor into it. It is how you manage the team, the type of players you use. I think it is a great competition and it would be a little bit sad if it changed.

Q: If this is it for you, what are your regrets? Do you wish you had done anything differently?

A: Off the top of my head, no I don't think so. I would have loved to have worn the All Black jersey. I didn't stop trying and I haven't stopped trying. It won't eventuate. But all I can say is that I gave it everything that I had and I wasn't able to get there. That is all you can do.

Q: Would you like to remain in rugby in a coaching or management role?

A: I am really keen to help out the younger grades, do some coaching there where I can. But I have no aspirations to go into professional coaching of any kind. I am just keen to get in there and help who I can. When I finish playing I am keen to get out and do something else.