Gary Collins – Monument Captain
On Saturday Monument host Marais Viljoen from Alberton in a FNB Classic Clash. Stand-in skipper Gary Collins leads Monnas.
Gary Collins was born in Fochsville in the North-West and attended Laerskool Fochsville before moving to the hostel at Monument in Grade 8. Gary has excelled at Monument and is headboy of the school. An honour he is enjoying despite the hard work required.
Gary plays centre and will captain the Monnas 1st XV on Saturday in the absence of the injured Johann van Deventer. Van Deventer, who captained the Golden Lions Schools team to victory at last year’s Craven Week, was injured at the Under-19 World Cup in Dubai.
Gary began his career as a flank and played there up until Grade 8 when he moved to the centre. He adapted quickly and made the Gpolden Lion’s Grant Khomo Under-16 team in Grade 10. Gary’s rugby hero is the World Cup winning centre Japie Mulder. Like his hero Gary is a strong defender and a good ball distributor, who likes to attack. Gary captained the Golden Lion’s Under-18 team in a trial game against the Leopards this week. The final team will be chosen after next weeks final trial against the Falcons and Gary is hopeful of making the team.
As ever Monument have a good team this year. They have lost only one game so far and that was to Eldoraigne. It was an uncharacteristic loss, which can be explained by the fact that it was played the day before they left for the Sanix Tournament in Japan. Clearly their minds where elsewhere!
Monument have a good set of backs this year with real pace out wide. Up front they are competitive with good fetchers. According to Gary their best win to date was against Florida High. Gary is really looking forward to Saturday’s FNB Classic Clash against Marais Viljoen, especially since it is been played at home. It is a derby game for both schools and school pride is on the line.
Gary has not decided what he wants to do next year, expect that he wants to take his rugby further. He will wait and see what offers he gets after Craven Week and take things from there. For the moment he is reveling in the dual honour of leading his team and his school against Marais Viljoen on Saturday.
