William Collins

Who was William Collins?

William Edward Collins MB MRCS CMG was a sportsman and politician. His greatest accomplishments came in rugby union, in which sport he represented England as a half-back several times in the 1870s, before emigrating to New Zealand in 1878.

Collins also played two games of first-class cricket for Wellington in the 1880s. Previously he had played for Cheltenham College, and had played against teams captained by WG Grace. AEJ Collins was his nephew, while his son David Collins played more than 50 first-class matches and his brother John Collins six.

Away from sport, Collins was a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council or upper house from 1907 until he died; renewed in 1914, 1921 and 1928.