The death of Jerry Collins was keenly felt in New Zealand last night - especially in Napier where his former Hurricanes had the difficult task of playing after the news broke.
But it also reverberated in other parts of the world, especially in Samoa, Wales, Australia and France.
Partner driving when vehicle hit barrier and was then struck by bus in France.
The health of Jerry Collins' baby daughter is improving as she fights for her life in hospital following the French car crash that killed her mother and father.
Four-month-old Ayla Collins was rushed to hospital in Montpellier in a critical condition after the crash last night NZT time.
Former All Black loose forward, Collins, 34, died instantly when the car and a bus collided on a motorway near Beziers in the Languedoc region of southern France.
His partner Alana Madill was also killed. Collins' long-standing manager Tim Castle spoke to the media this afternoon on behalf of his family.
The infant had shown signs of improvement, he said. "Ayla's care and recovery is central is all our endeavours at this time," Castle said.
"The news today is that her condition has improved a little, which is wonderful for the family.
Jerry Collins' manager Tim Castle speaks during a press conference at New Zealand Rugby Offices on June 6, 2015 in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images
"She remains nevertheless in a very serious condition, and the circumstances are being monitored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, by the rugby club, and others we have on the ground down there hour-by-hour.
"Our hopes are of course that she will recover. "Two former All-Blacks, who are currently based in France, and their wives were travelling to Montpellier on behalf of the family, he said.
Neemia Tialata and his wife Sally, and Chris Masoe and his wife Jenny were either already in Montpellier, or making their way there, Castle said, "to be with Jerry and to be with little Ayla".
Jerry Collins earned 48 test caps for the All Blacks. Photo / File
Arrangements were being made to bring Collins and his wife - as well as baby Ayla - back to New Zealand, Castle said.
"I'm in regular communication with Alana's mother and father. We've shared our reflections and memories," he said.
"They would not mind me saying that, just as Jerry's family is so devastated, they are likewise, deeply traumatised by these events.
"They too, like Jerry's family and all of us, are focussing on the continuing care for little Ayla, and our prayers and hopes are for her recovery at this time."
The details of Ayla's injuries were being kept confidential at this time, Castle said. "She is under very strict and very close care.
"I'm aware of some details, but they are confidential at this time."
It had not yet been discussed who would raise her, he said.
"Those details are a long way away from being worked though."
Some of Collins' family, including his mother and two sisters, were in Samoa yesterday for a close family friend's wedding when the news of his death emerged, Castle said.
However, they are all flying back to Wellington in the next 24 hours to be together, he said.
"The arrangements going forward for Jerry's return to New Zealand and for such funeral arrangements as the family wish to make are very tentative and very unspecific at this time," Castle said.
"We will give you updates just as soon as those arrangements are finalised."
Paying tribute to Collins, he said: "Jerry was a legend, not just here, in the great game, the great oval ball game.
"He was much loved all over the world, and the tributes are flowing ... throughout the world by so many people who played with or against Jerry.
"There are fans from the Liberty Stadium, where Jerry played for Ospreys, who will be standing to salute him just as the Hurricanes and the Highlanders did last night.
"Whenever Jerry ran on to the park for Ospreys there was the great chant of 'Jerry' from the crowd. He was an idol there as he was here."
He later added: "I've looked after Jerry for a long time, and he is a friend, and like everybody this is a very difficult time [for me]."
Castle said he was "not confident" that all the correct details about what caused the crash had been released.
"I'm not confident that the full information has been released and nor can I verify its accuracy, but the best course I'm adopting is to await the formal French investigation to be completed,", he said, adding that it was a formal inquiry, and a full report would be made.
He did not know where the family was travelling to or from at that time in the morning, he said.
Collins' family thank public in this 'desperately sad time'
The family of Jerry Collins has thanked the public for their support following his death in a French car crash yesterday.
Castle described it as a "desperately sad time" for Collins' family, extended family, and friends all over the world.
"The key message that I have today on their behalf is to express their gratitude to everybody, from the immediate locality of Jerry's home here in Wellington, and Porirua, but also around New Zealand and globally, to express their appreciation for the wonderful messages of support and offers of help that they have received."
It was a "particularly important message" for the family, he said.
Narbonne Rugby Club posted a tribute via their Facebook page for Collins, however removed the post just a few hours later, replacing it with a statement saying they wouldn't be making a statement for the time being. The club has not made any further comment.
Jerry Collins was reportedly in the back seat with his baby daughter Ayla, when his partner lost control of the family's car, leading to the crash that killed both parents, say French police.
The former All Black loose forward, 34, died instantly when the car and a bus collided on a motorway near Béziers in the Languedoc region of southern France.
Partner Alana Madill was also killed, and late last night the couple's 4-month-old daughter, Ayla, was in a critical condition in a hospital in Montpellier.
Jerry Collins and his partner Alana Madill . Taken from instagram 5 JUNE 2015
The crash occurred as the family were driving on the A9 "autoroute" from Canet-en-Roussillon.
Béziers police commander Thierry Duffau told the Weekend Herald the accident happened at 3.10am (local time). Ms Madill was driving - Collins was in the back seat with Ayla.
"According to early results from the inquiry, the driver of the car lost control, the vehicle hit the barricade of the central median strip and then moved rightwards before stopping in the slow lane. The front of the vehicle faced the central median barrier...
"A Portuguese bus heading in the same direction was unable to avoid a collision and hit the stopped vehicle."
Mr Duffau said police would investigate the possible causes of the accident, including whether Ms Madill fell asleep at the wheel, or alcohol was involved.
The scene of the crash that killed Jerry Collins and his partner Alana Madill. Photos / AP
He said it was curious they were travelling towards Montpellier, in the centre of Narbonne. Despite initial reports, it has been reported the family were not on their way home.
As news of the crash spread around the sporting world last night, Collins' beloved Hurricanes team overcame their emotions to beat the Highlanders 56-20 in Napier, with players from both teams wearing black armbands.
A number of players visibly fought back emotions, including Canes captain Conrad Smith, whose eyes were red as he led his team out on to the field. Ma'a Nonu, who scored two tries, pointed to the sky after one and appeared to say the word "brother".
Ma'a Nonu looks to the sky after scoring a try during the Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders on Friday night. Photo / Getty Images
Meanwhile, Collins' relatives were gathering at the family home in Cannons Creek, Porirua, as well as in Samoa, where he was born in 1980.
Among those in Samoa was Collins' father, To'omata Frank Collins.
The Collins are widely known in rugby circles in Wellington, where they live.
Rugby aside, Collins was also a well-respected figure among the Samoan and wider Pasifika community, particularly in Porirua, where he grew up.
His father is the head of the Wellington Samoan Rugby Association, and younger sisters Helen and Brenda are also rugby players.
Family friend and sports commentator Ken Laban - who is also connected to the Samoan Rugby Association - told the Weekend Herald last night that it was a huge loss.
"I first met him as a schoolboy at St Pat's Town [St Patrick's College in Wellington City]. He was one of the few players that age who was coming up through the ranks in rugby.
"He came up through all the rugby levels with another great - Richie McCaw."
Jerry Collins and Richie McCaw perform defensive duties for the All Blacks. Photo / NZME.
Mr Laban said Collins was always up for a talk and coming out to see the local community.
"He always made himself available if I called him to come to a community event.
"When he was in a Samoan context, he always played down who he was. He had genuine humility."
Labour MP Kris Faafoi - whose Mana electorate includes Porirua - was in touch with the family and friends last night. He said Collins "was known by everyone and so everybody's shocked".
"Whenever I'd see him on the street, it was always a quick 'G'day, how are you?'"
Collins also has another daughter, aged about 7, who lives overseas.
Her mother said last night: "It's sad. It's been a long time but it's really sad."
On Facebook, Ms Madill's friends gave emotional tributes to her, describing her as a "beautiful person".
Ms Madill, who had been a project administrator with Graham Construction in Alberta, Canada, was educated at Campbell Collegiate in Saskatchewan. She went to the University of Calgary, studying for a bachelor of arts degree in international relations, with a minor in Spanish.
Ms Madill's body is at the Medicolegal Institute of Montpellier, which specialises in forensic autopsy.
Friend Kiera Deschaine wrote: "I wish I could tell you how much I loved you one last time. Please everyone pray for baby Ayla. Nothing made Alana happier than her baby girl."
Another friend, Jena Marie, said Ms Madill "touched everyone she met. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family, friends and baby Ayla."
Jerry Collins earned 48 test caps for the All Blacks. Photo / File
Born: Apia, Samoa
Rugby position: Flanker
NPC debut: for Wellington in 1999, and for the Hurricanes two years later.
All Black debut: 2001. He went on to play 48 tests and captain three. He scored five test tries, and 25 test points.
Overseas: retired from international rugby in 2008, and went on to play in Europe and Japan, including French glamour club, Toulon, in the 2008-09 season.
Tributes on Twitter
Rest n peace My brother JC n your lovely lady . You will be surely missed Prayers to your little may she Survive ofa atu colins family.
Met Jerry in Whangarei when the ABs were training there in 03? We both had a competition doing chin ups at the city gym until Jerry put 40kg on his belt and did 20! What a cool guy and a real down to earth kiwi. Dean Crump, Northland Rescue Helicopter
We are so sad and shocked to hear of Jerry & his wife's passing. Our condolence to Jerry and his family for their loss and we are thinking of the family in our prayers. Api Naevo & family, Fiji
RIP Jerry Collins, one of the greatest flankers ever! Faizel Lodewyk, Cape Town, South Africa
I remember you coming on your own into the Red Back in London on my first night out. Seeing you acting casual and trying to blend in was classic! I'll never forget seeing you in real life. RIP Bigman can't believe you are gone. M Opuarik
R.I.P Jerry. Great man. Respected on and off the field, the true example of hard work and determination. The one man wrecking crew. Like many growing watching him play, I dyed the hair on the top of my head bleach cause believed it would make me play like one of my idols. It didn't but was intimidating to my opponents. Remember how Jerry had to reduce the size of his biceps cause he felt it interfered with his tackling. Fabian Ontong
We hosted Jerry Collins in LA in 2007 for our rugby awards dinner with SoCal rugby, he stayed and also coached the Locals and one night even showed up to the LA Men's rugby training, afterwards we all went to the local pub that sponsors the team in Manhattan Beach. He put himself behind the bar and served all the guys drinks all night, great character ... true humble man even with so much success on the rugby field and great to see he always had time for everyone, even the beginners learning to play rugby for the first time. He will be missed, RIP Jerry, great friend and thanks for all you gave to rugby. Jax Roper
We will never forget his Guinness haircut with the bleached hair. Irish rugby fans across our nation are mourning today, be strong New Zealand. Go well Jerry brother. A true hero, Love from Ireland. Paddy Jack
Really, really sad day, I still can't believe it. I met Jerry Collins In Cape Town when he was touring with the Hurricanes he was my all-time favourite rugby player! I had the privilege of meeting him & he even autographed my Hurricane top at the back, because I had his name and his number 6. What a guy, He was my hero! Rhidwaan Scott, Cape Town, South Africa
