Flanker's imminent return a huge boost for Northland

One of Northland's favourite rugby sons is coming home to finish his rugby career where it started - wearing the cambridge blue provincial colours.

Justin Collins has signed a two-year contract to play for Northland starting next year, but union officials are hoping the inspirational flanker may yet be part of the representative side this season if they can somehow convince the Auckland Rugby Union to release their captain from the final year of his contract in the big city.

Northland coach Mark Anscombe said securing Collins for two years had been a major score as his skills reach well beyond his influence on the field. But he was not holding out much hope of getting Collins playing for Northland this season with a complicated mish-mash of injuries hampering negotiations.

"We will be relying on the goodwill of Auckland for that to happen," Anscombe said.

"There was a strong possibility but then injuries to Angus MacDonald and now Daniel Braid, and with Jerome Kaino possibly becoming an All Black, it is too early to go to Auckland talking about that,' he said.

"But I am not about to go putting pressure on Auckland, because right now if we tried to hard they would just say no."

In the meantime Anscombe was gushing about the prospect of having Collins join Northland next season saying the mere hint of his return had enlivened the whole squad.

Collins last played for Northland in 2000, halting his tally of games for the province at 83 games, and linked up with Auckland where he has progressed to become the provincial captain and a senior member of the Blues franchise team.

But Collins was ruled out of all rugby early this season when he snapped an achilles tendon, an injury he is still recovering from.

Since his departure Collins has clocked up 46 games for Auckland and surpassed 200 first class games in total in his career, but said he had always had the desire to return to Northland in a playing capacity.

"I am wrapt really that we have pulled it off. It has been a process over the past couple of months but it has been one thing I definitely wanted to do. I wanted to play back up in Northland and I want to move back north because I've grown a little tired of the traffic in Auckland," Collins said.

"I wanted to do it a little earlier rather than later so I could get in a couple more seasons in the Northland jersey," he said.

Anscombe was sure Collins would be a huge asset and a player he knows will make a big impact when he returns.

"Collins is simply outstanding. He is a strong captain for Auckland and has been for two seasons now and he is a leader in the Blues group. With him not around you have seen what has happened to the Blues this season," Anscombe said.

"The best bit though is that the guy is genuinely excited about the prospect of coming home to play his rugby. This move was touted a while ago and Collins has been a big driver in it all."

"There has certainly been no arm twisting or any feeling like he has been pushed. Quite the contrary."

Along with Collins, who signed yesterday, another new player is also poised to join Northland.

Former Australian sevens player Marshall Milroy, who is currently playing club rugby in France, is set to arrive in Northland on trial for a place in the representative side.

Milroy is a New Zealand born fullback or winger who last played for the Australian sevens team in 2002. He is 24-years-old and will link up with a club side ahead of playing in the Northland wide club rugby competition.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)