Jerry Collins, seen holding his daughter Ayla, with his partner Alana Madill in the background, attending a charity auction in France on the night he died. Photo / Zebulon Noguera
Jerry Collins, seen holding his daughter Ayla, with his partner Alana Madill in the background, attending a charity auction in France on the night he died. Photo / Zebulon Noguera
Family and friends have made it to Montpellier to be beside Jerry Collins' critically-injured baby daughter, including her aunt from Canada and extended Samoan rugby family.
Collins' agent Tim Castles said four-month-old Ayla's condition was still critical following the crash on Friday that killed her father, Jerry, and mother, Alana Madill. She remains in intensive care.
Two France-based All Blacks, Neemia Tialata and his wife Sally, and Chris Masoe and his wife Gemma, had been at the hospital earlier today (NZT). They had also been to see Collins' body, to his family's relief, Castles said.
"The Samoan community in France is well represented.They have been to see Jerry, which has been wonderful for his family."
"I think the whole lot of them are coming, there's a lot of pepole," he said.
"It's going to be big when he arrives, everyone will be here."
They were still working out if family would travel to France to bring the body back.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said a consular adviser travelled from the New Zealand Embassy in Paris to Montpellier to facilitate the repatriation.
The embassy was also providing consular assistance to the family, she said.
The ministry would not be providing any further information out of respect for the family's wish for privacy, she said.
Jerry Collins with the Samoan Rugby League jersey he successfully bid for at a charity auction in honour of Henry Tuilagi in Perpignan, France on the night he died. Photo / Zebulon Noguera
Meanwhile, Kiwi entrepreneur Derek Handley has set up a fundraising page to raise money to support baby Ayla, daughter of Collins and Alana Madill.
The Givealittle page has so far raised $5447 for the little girl, with a target of raising $25,000.
Collins and Madill, died on Friday in a crash in France. Their daughter suffered serious head injuries and remains in intensive care in a hospital in Montpellier.
Mr Handley wrote on the fundraising page that he had no personal connection to Collins, but was, "like most New Zealanders, a passionate All Blacks fan and loved watching Jerry play both for the Hurricanes and our country".
"The idea of Ayla growing up without both her parents immediately made me want to do something to inspire New Zealanders and rugby fans around the world to rally in some small way."
The fundraiser was set up through Mr Handley's Aera Foundation charity. His post said any money raised would be put into a trust for Ayla for whatever she might need in life as she grows up.
"Jerry was only 34. Life is fragile. Let's all be good to each other."
One donor wrote: "Little baby Ayla, get well soon .... One day you will know how people felt about your mum and dad. Because they cannot be with you now, you have many uncles and aunties in the rugby world who want the best for you."
Meanwhile, new photos have emerged of the rugby star on the night of the tragic crash that claimed his life.
Collins' final night, at a charity event in the south of France, was captured by photographer Zebulon Noguera. The exclusive photos, which the Herald has published, show Collins cradling his baby daughter Ayla, and laughing with his family.
Jerry Collins with the Samoan Rugby League jersey he successfully bid for at a charity auction in honour of Henry Tuilagi in Perpignan, France, pictured on the night he crashed. Photo / Zebulon Nogera
The charity function in Perpignan was for Samoan rugby star Henry Tuilagi, and other pictures shows Collins on stage collecting a signed Samoan rugby league jersey.
Meanwhile, calls to honour Collins with a stadium and memorial cup in his name are pouring in on social media.
A Facebook page calling for Porirua Park, formerly known as the Trust Porirua Stadium, to be renamed Jerry Collins Memorial stadium has received almost 3500 likes.
Collins' rugby career started when he was just a kid in Porirua.
The page has been set up to try and honour the former All Black in the place where he harnessed his trade, the page administrator said.
"In honour of an amazing son of Porirua, let's do this!"
Porirua mayor Nick Leggett said the idea was being looked at "seriously", Fairfax Media reported.
Another Facebook page has been set up to create a Jerry Collins Memorial Cup and a further Facebook page calling for Wellington's Westpac Stadium aisle six to be named after the rugby great has received more than 10,000 likes.
Facebook user Evan Bishop said the council should rename the street Collins grew up on after him.
Yesterday, Collins's father Frank told the Herald on Sunday: "We would like to thank people for their support. The reaction of people from all over the world has been humbling.
"There have been people calling up after hearing about the news on the radio. A lot of friends have been giving a lot of support."
Members of Collins's family were in Samoa for a wedding yesterday but are expected to return to New Zealand tomorrow. The family were still unsure about the full details of the tragedy.
"I'm still waiting for some information to come in from the authorities in France. That may be Monday now because of the weekend and we will finally get the full story from there."
The crash happened on the way home from the charity event. Organisers have said they would now donate all proceeds to Collins's daughter.
Ayla is said to be serious but stable in a specialist intensive care unit in Montpellier. A source confirmed she suffered a brain bleed. Yesterday, Collins' long-standing manager Tim Castle said the baby had shown improvement.
"The news today is that her condition has improved a little, which is wonderful for the family," Castle said.
Former All Blacks Neemia Tialata and Chris Masoe have made their way to Montpellier with their wives, Sally and Gemma, to monitor Ayla and pay their respects to Collins.
Jerry Collins and Alana Madill. Photo / Kiera Deschaine
An autopsy will be done tomorrow on Madill, who was driving.
The New Zealand rugby community yesterday displayed its grief over the deaths. School, club and Super Rugby matches around the country observed a minute's silence before kick-off and all ages of players wore black arm bands.
In Wellington, club teams honoured one of the city's favourite rugby sons by lining up for silent pre-match tributes. That feeling extended around the world.
His old club, Porirua's Northern United, announced its premier grade team had retired his former No 6 jersey for the rest of the season.
Jerry Collins the night before the crash.
And last night, All Black captain Richie McCaw praised Collins, saying he was a loyal and intelligent teammate with an awe-inspiring physical presence.
Narbonne coach Justin Harrison said among all Collin's achievements, starting a family was one of the greatest.
"The last time I saw them they were enormously happy and in love, that's my best memory of Jerry," former Wallaby Harrison told TVNZ. "Sometimes your mortality reminds you that life isn't fair."
The wreckage of Jerry Collins' car, pictured in the hghway near Bezers, southern France. Photo / Jean-Pierre Amarger
Collins' cousin, friend and former All Black captain Tana Umaga last night tweeted from Italy: "Been a tough 36 hours for all that knew JC. I'm no different. Appreciate all the messages of condolences and support for JC, Alana & Ayla!"
And former Welsh star Colin Charvis, who Collins gave on-field first aid after a shuddering tackle, told the Herald on Sunday: "My prayers are with Jerry's friends and family. I remember him as a guy who wore his jersey with passion, pride."
Meanwhile, Madill's body will undergo toxicology tests and investigations to see if she suffered a medical event.
Frank Collins - father of Jerry Collins - is touched by the global messages of support. Photo / Supplied
Public prosecutor Yvon Calvet confirmed the driver of the bus that collided with Collins' car, which had spun on the motorway, was not at fault. He was driving at 91km/h and was sober, he said.
Collins was in the back seat of his car with Ayla when Madill reportedly lost control. They were killed instantly.
Police would not confirm whether they were wearing seatbelts.
It was also not clear why the couple had been driving along the A9 motorway about 3.30am toward Beziers - in the opposite direction to their home in Narbonne.
- Additional reporting by Catherine Field, Paris and Jean-Pierre Amarger, Montpellier
