Michael Collins self-deprecatingly calls himself the "battler" of the Blues' rockstar backline.
It's a tag that fits his laidback, level-headed southern approach, the jovial first-year import from Otago so far making an excellent fist of his surprise elevation into the fullback's role for the Blues' Super Rugby campaign.
But battler doesn't do justice to the growing poise the 23-year-old is showing at the back for the Blues, where his steadiness, decision-making, communication and playmaking ability are starting to bear fruit for a side which hosts the struggling Force at Eden Park in the Saturday 5.15pm matinee.
Collins has started every match for Tana Umaga's 2-3 Blues where he's fast proving himself an indispensable "glue guy" of the backline − the hard-working, no-shortcut-taking player who helps those big names around him come together as an effective unit.
Though the Blues have had their shaky moments − last weekend's 38-14 victory over the Bulls snapped a three-match losing streak − Collins has largely thrived as the unheralded fullback no one saw coming. Including him.
"I always knew I was starting from the bottom and working up," says Collins who hails from Queenstown and was educated at Otago Boys High School in Dunedin. "Tana made it clear I was the 32nd or 33rd contract, or whatever it was. That was sweet.
"This is just the way it worked out with a couple of injuries and getting the opportunity. It makes it easier when the other boys are playing well around you. It really is a dream come true at the moment, playing in front of awesome crowds with unreal players in arguably the best competition in the world."
Collins has a pretty good feeling he might just have walked into something special in the making.
"When Tana explained about what's going on here, and what his intentions are, it was a no-brainer [to come north]. I think when you finish playing rugby you want to have been a part of those moments that mean something. I honestly believe the Blues are heading in the right direction and if we can put some performances together we'll be well on track."
The former student who's still studying commerce set no specific targets for his time at the Blues, preferring a more "que sera" type approach.
"I didn't come up with a goal of playing time or nailing down a position, I just tried to be open-minded," he says. "If you have expectations and don't achieve them you can get down. I played a lot of midfield in pre-season, but this was the best fit for everyone, and it seems to be working well."
Umaga figured the steely southerner would serve him best at fullback, and after he and wing Matt Duffie provided dual star turns in a six-try explosion against the Bulls he reflected with some satisfaction.
"This is his first year of Super Rugby, but he's been around for a while and played professional rugby overseas. He's still building and getting his confidence at this level, but what he and Matt both bring is their voice," said the Blues coach. "They are very good communicators out back, and they give those guys inside them confidence to do things."
Collins says communication and organisation is part of the job in the back three. "The forwards and inside backs have got so much to focus on, if you can help out by directing where they need to go, they're going to do better. It's something we take pretty seriously."
And with all that talent around him, let's just say Collins understands where his bread is buttered. "You just run off shoulders, don't you. It makes your job easier. When you come into a team like this all you've got to do is your own role, and if you execute that you're going a long way to going OK."
As mentioned, he does have that offshore experience, heading to the Scarlets in Wales on a short-term deal after last year's provincial campaign with Otago. "It was absolutely crucial, a taste of professional rugby in a different environment, and I went with the same mindset as here, and just soaked it all up," he says. "I had great coaching and some good players around me and learned heaps."
It turns out Collins is actually both Welsh and English qualified via his grandparents, which is where it gets decidedly interesting. He's not contracted beyond this year with the Blues and Otago, and says he'll reassess what lies beyond when the time is right.
A few more performances like last Saturday's at QBE Stadium, and he just might find himself with some options to consider.
Blues: Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, George Moala, TJ Faiane, Melani Nanai, Piers Francis, Augustine Pulu; Jerome Kaino, Murphy Taramai, Jimmy Tupou, Patrick Tuipulotu, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons (c), Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Ofa Tu'ungafasi or Sam Prattley, Sione Mafileo, Scott Scrafton, Akira Ioane, Billy Guyton, Ihaia West, Rieko Ioane.
Force: Dane Haylett-Petty, Chance Peni, Marcel Brache, Billy Meakes, Alex Newsome, Jono Lance (c), Ryan Louwrens; Isi Naisarani, Matt Hodgson, Ross Haylett-Petty, Richie Arnold, Matt Philip, Tetera Faulkner, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Daley. Reserves: Anaru Rangi, Pek Cowan, Shambeckler Vui, Richard Hardwick, Kane Koteka, Michael Ruru, Ian Prior, Robbie Coleman.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES (Michael Collins produced a breakout display at fullback for the Blues against the Bulls at QBE Stadium).