Scarlets are preferred pick for converted Kiwi Collins
AUCKLAND Blues utility back Michael Collins wants to return to Wales and forge an international career in the red shirt.
Collins’ exclusive comments to The Rugby Paper will put all four Welsh regions on red alert and it is understood Cardiff Blues have already expressed an interest in the 25-year-old.
The former Scarlet has signed a one-year contract to stay in New Zealand, but will assess his options at the end of next season and wants to move back to the Northern Hemisphere.
Despite interest from the Blues, Collins’ preferred move would be to re-join the Scarlets where he spent the 2015-16 season. He has also been the subject of interest from Premiership clubs.
Collins said: “The Scarlets are all I know in Wales and I’ve got some good mates there likes James Davies, Dylan Evans and Steff Evans, so you are more comfortable going back to what you are familiar with.
“I will catch up with Wayne Pivac for a beer while he is back home in New Zealand, but I am sure all the other regional teams have their bonuses too.”
Former Junior All Black Collins is eligible for both England, through his mother, and Wales, due to his grandfather being from Llanelli. He believes a grounding in Super Rugby will help him achieve his aim of pulling on the Three Feathers.
“My granddad is a passionate Welshman so I grew up with a bit of Welsh culture hanging over me. Having played over there for a year it’s given me the ambition to represent Wales,” Collins said.
“I am a Kiwi and I’ve always dreamt of playing for the All Blacks, but at the moment I’ve got more of an ambition to play for Wales rather than New Zealand. I’ve been sucking up to Bryn Gatland trying to get Warren’s ear.
“The reason I stayed in Super Rugby was to try and develop as much as I can so that if I ever get the chance to play for Wales or a Welsh region, I will be a much better player.
“I was pretty close to heading back over to the Scarlets in 2016, but Tana Umaga gave me a call and said there was a spot opening up at the Blues.”
Collins’ former boss Pivac is among the leading contenders to take over from current Wales head coach Warren Gatland after the 2019 World Cup.
“Wayne would be awesome for Wales. When I was at the Scarlets he was a different class, so if he steps into that role he will do well,” Collins said.
“His man management is spot on and that goes a long way to building a strong culture which allows you to win things. When you’ve got players of that level it’s not so much about coaching, it’s about managing players and workloads. And he’s very open and honest and not afraid to make tough calls.”