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Blues fullback Collins clears up talk of Wales move

Blues utility back Michael Collins

Blues fullback Michael Collins has shot down rumours of an impending move to Wales, confirming his focus remains on helping the Blues get back on track.

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“That’s been blown a wee bit out of proportion,” he said.

“Being Wales and England qualified, it’s always been an option to go back there and ply the trade. But I’ve just recommitted here for another year, so that’s the sole focus at the moment.

Collins re-signed with the Blues on a one-year deal earlier this year for 2019, and is also contracted to Otago for the next two Mitre 10 campaigns. The 25-year old qualifies for both England and Wales on ancestry grounds through his grandfather, which has led to speculation he will be the next Kiwi to join the Welsh team. He spent one season with Scarlets in 2015-16 so is already familiar with the setup. His coach at Scarlets back then is newly appointed Wales coach Wayne Pivoc.

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“I love the people and culture there, and after that wee stint I probably looked at it more seriously. But I haven’t had any talks with clubs over there and the sole focus is to try to turn this club around and hopefully help inflict a bit of change,” he said.

“Wayne is a really good coach, he’s done a lot at the Scarlets and he’ll have a good shot at it with the Welsh job in a couple of years. But I don’t think there are any stars aligning there.”

It is possible Collins pursues that path to international rugby when comes off contract after the Rugby World Cup next year, but he believes the best place for his development is still in New Zealand.

“You’ve got to be good enough to play that level first and it’s unknown if I am yet. Everyone wants to play as high as they can and international rugby is the pinnacle. It’s definitely a goal.”

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He said his commitment to the Blues is based on positive actions within the club, that may not seem visible to those on the outside looking in.

“I would have probably jumped ship if I didn’t see [that]. I know from the outside all you see is results – and we’re in a results-driven industry – but from what the coaches are doing, and the changes we’re making internally, it’s leading us in the right way.

“We’ve just got to click, win a few games, get a few habits together and it will start snowballing and everything will flow on. The effort and intent has always been there, it’s just finer details we’ve been lacking a wee bit.

“We’re going through a tough time but the decision to recommit is to try help change this club round.”

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Nickers 34 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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