The 55-year story behind magic Collins moment

Lionel Williamson was an 11-Test veteran for the Kangaroos in the 1960s and 1970s, and it was his work with his grandson in North Queensland that helped Collins come through the ranks and take his place as one of the best front-rowers in the world.

Collins continued his outstanding season with two tries in Australia’s big win over New Zealand, 55 years after his grandfather scored doubles in two games playing on the wing at the 1968 World Cup.

“I didn’t know that so it’s pretty cool to hear that,” he said.

“He probably calls me once a week. I grew up idolising him a bit. If you play rugby league and someone in your family played it at a high level in a different era, you definitely idolise them as a football player.

“It’s pretty cool to follow in his footsteps.”

Collins received a message from his grandfather but hasn’t called him back yet, although he knows his pop would be proud of his two-try haul against the Kiwis.

Most front-rowers would be talking it up for weeks, but the humble Collins downplayed the feat.

“It was good. I guess I was in the right place at the right time and I just fell over the line so it was nothing too special,” he said.

“A double in a Test match. Yeah, I’ll take that.”

The first try came just 24 seconds after he came on the field, with Collins backing up Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who popped an audacious pass to the big man to crash over.

His second came nine minutes later when Maroons teammate Harry Grant picked him out with a perfect pass to open up a commanding lead as the Kangaroos kicked on to win 36-18 ahead of Saturday’s Pacific Championships decider.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga took the credit for the interchange masterstroke, and Collins said he simply wanted to make an immediate impact after coming on.

“I didn’t have a run in that set so I was wigging out a bit,” he explained.

“I like to get my hands on the ball as soon as I get on so I chased it and wanted to make up for it in ‘D’, but ended up coming up with the ball.

“I think if you watch back, I actually tripped over my own feet so luckily the line was right there because I probably wouldn’t have made it.”

It’s been a breakout season for the 27-year-old who narrowly missed out on the Wally Lewis Medal after he starred in the State of Origin series, before he went on to claim the Jack Gibson Medal, snapping James Tedesco’s five-year reign as the Roosters’ best player.

Collins will likely retain his spot on the bench even with starting props Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui set to return this weekend, and there’s every chance he could get even better in the years to come.

“What motivates me is being the best version of myself and the best player I can be,” he said.

“If that is this then that’s it and that’s as good as I can get, but I’ll do everything I can to be the best version of myself.

“That’s my motivation and that’s my goal.”

Originally published as ‘It’s cool to follow in his footsteps’: Collins scores twice 55 years after his grandfather did the same for Australia