Collins will spearhead potent trio

Jerry Collins (right) should be the All Black pack's mean main man. Picture / Mark Mitchell

While the enduring images of the All Blacks' second-test win will be chock full of Daniel Carter artistry, the muscular discomfort applied by Jerry Collins was also a wondrous sight.

It is hard to forget one inspiring passage of play when Collins looked like he was dumping a row of tackle bags at training. He would smash one Lions player, haul himself up and pound another.

Collins was subbed for the last quarter by Sione Lauaki, but they team up at Eden Park today with Rodney So'oialo in a revamped loose forward trio which suggests potency.

With the ball they could be a fearsome act, but if they're going backwards it will be Collins and So'oialo demanding more from the new All Black No 8.

"What we lose with Richie [McCaw] we will have to bring something different to this game," Collins said. "Rodney will go for it and it will be up to me and Wax [Lauaki] to get up for him.

"I think the environment is working well for Wax. He has been coming down to extra fitness sessions, he is asking a lot of questions and I don't think he will have a lot to worry about. He is going to have a stormer."

Collins, 24, will wear the No 6 jersey tonight but there is a suggestion that he will be used as a No 8 for certain All Black moves.

Asking for anything more specific is met with one of those stares which is Collins' way of saying drop it, let's move on.

Another mannerism had the Cake Tin crowd buzzing last Saturday when he slapped one of his huge biceps and raised a clenched fist to the crowd.

"It was about being at home, and with everything that happened last week [with cousin and All Black captain Tana Umaga], it was a great way to answer what had gone on," he said.

"It was great for people to get behind him and great to get a result for him as well.

"I don't really want it to go any further but it was good to get it out of the way."

That game done, redemption for the besmirching of Umaga's name complete, Collins rolls into a chat about the final test of the series, one where the All Black reserves are going to get a decent exam.

"The guys coming in are not guys off the street," said Collins.

"They have been round us for a while and we have a lot to look forward to. We are 2-0 up and we do not want to drop another game. We want to make sure that Marshy [Justin Marshall] goes out the right way too.

"The English media will pump it up if we lose - they will make out they have dealt to us.

"We know the Lions will play better than they did in the last two weeks and we will need to go better as well. We have to match their enthusiasm and their will to win."

Collins has been refining his game, alternating between the bash necessary for the close-quarter approach to the deft offloads or the evasion which makes him an even more dangerous customer.

After Jono Gibbes was used for the bulk of the domestic tests and the Tri-Nations last year, Collins got his chance on the end-of-year tour. A month of intensive technical training with people such as forwards coach Steve Hansen, added a range of skills which showed in Collins' play in the Super 12.

He has been first-choice blindside flanker against the Lions and is still in a menacing mood for Eden Park.

"They came over and said they were going to bash us. That is a very dangerous thing to do. If you are the Mafia and don't do it they kill you," he cackled.

"We expect a physical battle. They will be desperate."

Collins said he had spoken to former All Black greats such as Bryan Williams. They had all talked about how much it meant to take the series against the Lions, but urged no let-up tonight.