Collins, 17 stone and 6ft 3ins, had agreed to turn out for Barnstaple after meeting the team's head coach, Kevin Squire, in a restaurant while taking a holiday in the west country following New Zealand's exit from the World Cup last month.

Mr Squire said: "I did a double-take when I saw who it was and knew I had to introduce myself. He was very polite and unassuming. We talked for several minutes and I mentioned the club and invited him to come down and watch a game, but of course never expected him to turn up. He did though and even coached a session with the under-14 side, who were completely awestruck."

Barnstaple have been relegated twice in the past four years and now play in the South West 2 West division - a little below international level. Still Mr Squire asked Collins if he fancied a game. "I told him we had a match coming up and he was welcome to join us, but again I was gobsmacked when he showed up to catch the bus with the rest of the players."

Collins, a blindside flanker, could not turn out for the first team but was eligible to appear in the seconds.

"It was very surreal for the lads as they are all amateurs - most are builders, bricklayers, plumbers and so on," said Mr Squire. "He had even been to a sports store to buy a new pair of boots." On Saturday the Newton Abbot seconds heard a rumour that a famous player could be playing for Barnstaple. But Tom Meek, 32, who plays prop for Newton Abbot, said it was still a shock when Collins, sometimes known as the Terminator for his fierce tackling, arrived.

"There were a few jitters," said Mr Meek. "But we sat down and said, 'He's only one man. There are 14 others. He can't really win the game on his own.' But actually he could have. I had one close encounter - I thought I'd handed him off but the next thing was flat on my face eating grass."

Collins played at half speed or less but still managed to score a try and made three try-saving tackles, most notably when the Newton Abbot winger, Aidan Tolley, was gleefully flying through the air about to touch down. He never made it and instead was scooped up by Collins and hurled back down the field. For the record, the final score was 21-7 to Barnstaple.

Newton Abbot coach Phil Burford said he didn't mind.

"You take it with a pinch of salt," he said. "It's not every day you get someone of his stature playing at your club - it was quite a shock. I think the second-team lads were pinching themselves after playing with such an icon."

Things could get worse for opponents of Barnstaple. Not only has Collins said that he may play again for the team - there are rumours that All Black Dan Carter, arguably the best fly-half in the world, could turn out for them too.

Newton Abbot flanker Andrew Breeze told how he lined up Collins for a tackle. "I thought, this is your chance to put one of the best flankers in the world on his arse. "He stepped to his left, stepped to his right and was gone. They scored a try from that. Were we scared? We come upon big men all the time. If you're scared you should go and play football."

Game of two halves

Jerry Collins

Born Apia, Samoa

Age 26

Height 6ft 3ins

Weight 17 stone

Job Rugby player

Position Loose forward

Team Hurricanes, Wellington, New Zealand

Nickname JC or the Terminator

Rugby highlights 48 tests for the All Blacks, three as captain. Has scored five tries. Was one of the youngest players in world to captain a senior club team at the age of 18.

Interests Learning the guitar, artistic drawing, reading

Favourite film Shawshank Redemption

Favourite food Free food

Interests Learning the guitar, artistic drawing, reading

Andrew Breeze

Born Newton Abbot, Devon

Age 37

Height 5ft 11ins

Weight 12½ stone

Job Fencer

Position Loose forward

Team Newton Abbot seconds - or firsts when there's a bout of flu

Nickname Breezy

Rugby highlights Winning seven-a-side in Dubai with Newton Abbot 2004 and 2005, member of Newton Abbot's Devon Cup winners 2004

Favourite film Pulp Fiction

Favourite food So many ...

Interests Rugby