People from around the world have written in with their tributes and memories of the rugby legend.
"You didn't know me but me and my whole country knew you. I'm all teary eyed. Your daughter is in my prayers."
- Beki
"You will be dearly missed BIG MAN.......Rest in peace. All the way from South Africa! AB for ever"
- Ralph Van Der Merwe
"Huge loss. Condolences to the whanau and friend's. Loving thoughts to their daughter."
- Ana Mcgill
"Thoughts and prayers are with the Collins family on the loss of Jerry and his wife. He was a much loved icon within NZ and the world. A huge loss and at such a young age, much love to his daughter who is still in hospital and his immediate family."
- The Ruri Family, Brisbane
"RIP Jerry Collins - One of the Great Loosies ever played.. Hard to believe."
- Ruwan Vidabapathirana
"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
"I was walking through Wellington before the NZ V Lions Test a few years ago, everyone was wearing winter woollies, NOT Jerry, shorts Jandals, that man was tough!"
- Graham Hutton
"Jerry was an amazing player, Hurricanes and All Black, a man of power and direction (the opposition line with no deviation. He was always thrilling to watch. I am stunned and saddened at the loss of such an inspiring player. My deepest sympathies to his family, colleagues and friends."
- Philip Browne
"It is with a sad heart that I pay my condolences to the extended family of Jerry Collins and his wife. May his daughter be healed. RIP iconic All Blacks player, you will always be remembered."
- C.S. Constance, South Africa
"We are going to miss you my hero.... R.I.P... Manuia lau malaga uso male faletua.."
- Lafo Salima
"R.I.P Jerry . Great man .One of the hardness tacklers and the hardness to tackle. 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
"You will be sadly missed, what a tragedy. Everyone in Australia thought you were the hardest tackler ever! RIP Jerry."
- Kelvin Fair
"One best rugby player all time rest in peace my bro."
- Craig Higgins
"Jerry Collins was killed? This cannot be true. One of the saddest day I feel. Only the other day when I watched Hurricanes played Chiefs I was wondering how Jerry Collins was doing in France. He was one of my favourite all blacks. Sad, sad and sad with buckets of tears."
- Wendy
" On behalf of Rugby Southland. A great flanker in NZ Rugby. Jerry will be surely be missed not just from his home country of Samoa, not just from the Wellington Rugby Union, not also just from the Hurricanes franchise but from the whole country of New Zealand He'll be missed."
"Thanks for all the great sporting moments you and the abs gave us, I am gutted."
- Gary Clapham
"Rip in peace Jerry and partner god bless your baby."
- Donna Feaver
"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
Social media has also been flooded with people sharing their shock over the news.
