Michael Collins (rugby union, born 1993)
Michael William Vincent Collins (born 3 June 1993) is a professional rugby union player who plays Centre for the Ospreys team in the United Rugby Championship. He is a former captain of the Otago Boys' High School 1st XV and a former New Zealand Schools representative. He has turned down offers from the NRL franchise the Melbourne Storm and ITM Cup Premiership side Waikato to play for Otago.
| Full name | Michael William Vincent Collins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 3 June 1993 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Queenstown, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 99 kg (218 lb; 15 st 8 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Otago Boys' High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Otago | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
Collins made his Otago debut in 2012, and played for the NPC side until 2020.[1]
In 2015, Collins joined Welsh club the Scarlets on a short-term contract, returning to New Zealand at the end of the season.[2]
Upon his return to New Zealand, Collins joined Super Rugby team the Blues.[3]
Otago-born Collins joined his home region, the Highlanders, for the 2020 Super Rugby season and was involved with the side for the next two seasons.[4]
Collins returned to Wales in 2021, joining the Ospreys in the newly formed United Rugby Championship.[5] He made his debut on 26 September 2021, scoring two tries in a Man of the Match performance against the Dragons.[6]
Personal life
Collins is Welsh-qualified, through his Llanelli-born grandfather.[7]
References
- "MICHAEL COLLINS – THANK YOU & FAREWELL". Otago Rugby Football Union. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- "Scarlets sign Otago centre Michael Collins". BBC Sport. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- "Super Rugby's Blues sign ex-Scarlets back Michael Collins". BBC Sport. 16 October 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- "Highlanders name Tongan hitman Zane Kapeli in 2020 Super Rugby squad". Stuff. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- "Michael Collins: Ospreys sign Wales-qualified full-back from Super Rugby". BBC Sport. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- "Michael Collins grabs two tries as Ospreys slay Dragons". United Rugby Championship. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- "Welsh-qualified Highlanders star Michael Collins lifts the lid on his move to Ospreys". RugbyPass. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2022.