Yet the versatile back is about to enter his fifth season with Otago and has just had a season playing in Wales. Such is the youth of today’s game that Collins is one of the more experienced players running around the domestic competition.
"I’m not quite an old man but a core of us all sort of started around the same time so I guess we consider ourselves still young with a bit of experience," Collins said.
"I’m still loving it. Everyone gets along really well and Cory [coach Cory Brown] and the guys have set a really good programme for the season."
Collins, who has played 32 games for Otago since his debut in 2012, said the goal for Otago for the season was simple.
"We have to win the competition. Anything less than that is not going to be acceptable. We are still a relatively young side but have that core of experience there.
"As for individually, I’m pretty flexible. Just getting a start and making the most of any opportunities that come along."
Collins played for Llanelli Scarlets in Wales in the 2015-16 season and said he really enjoyed the experience.
With Welsh heritage, he qualified as a local player.
Signed as medical cover, he ended up playing about 20 games as the side ended up fifth in the competition.
He played most of the games at fullback and said in this day and age it was best for players to have the ability to play two positions.
Collins and the club had talked about him coming back next season but nothing eventuated.
"We’ll see what happens. We talked about things, length of contract and that but nothing came about. I wanted to come back here. Otago had been really good to me to let me go so I wanted to come back here and play."
Collins said the advantage of playing in Wales was when there was a break it was a chance to have a good look around.
He was a close friend of Auckland captain Simon Hickey and the pair spent time together.
After the season finished, Collins stayed with Hickey, who was playing for Bordeaux in France, for a few weeks and had a holiday around parts of Europe.
"I felt like I had a good break. Although you’re still doing the training, you haven’t got that mental pressure of having to get up for games. So that was really refreshing."
Collins has his head firmly back in rugby now and Southland is the target tomorrow.
Otago had a convincing 38-12 win over Southland nine days ago but Collins said that was now irrelevant.
"It is always different than pre-season, being down there, in front of their home crowd. ... that pre-season game, they sort of struggled for combinations and could not get their phases together.
"That will be different this weekend. They are good around the ruck area and are a proud team."
Otago will have four debutants in its side tomorrow, though three of them have played for other provinces.
Mitchell Scott will be on the wing and Scott Eade and Jonathan Ruru will form the inside combination.
Tom Rowe gets a start at lock, with Blair Tweed nursing a sore back and Tom Franklin rested.
Rowe has played 42 games for the Otago Nuggets basketball team — his last full season in 2011 — and his aerial skills will be an asset for Otago.
It will be flanker James Lentjes’ 15th and blazer game for Otago if he gets on.
Southland has a new-look side although it still has veteran hooker Jason Rutledge (38) coming into the squad tosit on the bench.
A mainly fine day is forecast for Invercargill tomorrow.
Otago v Southland
Invercargill, tomorrow, 2.35pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Fa’asiu Fuatai, Michael Collins, Tei Walden, Mitchell Scott, Scott Eade, Jonathan Ruru, Paul Grant, Dillon Hunt, Adam Knight, Josh Dickson, Tom Rowe, Donald Brighouse, Liam Coltman, Craig Millar. Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Aki Seiuli, Hisa Sasagi, Lee Allan, James Lentjes, Josh Walden, Fletcher Smith, Sio Tomkinson.
Southland: Tauasosi Tuimavave, Jaye Thompson-Te Muunu, Dylan Collier, James Schrader, Mike Molloy, Wharenui Hawera, Jimmy Cowan, Mika Mafi, Phil Halder, Bill Fukofuka, Matthew Philip, Mike McKee, Guy Millar, Brayden Mitchell, Peni Ravai. Reserves; Jason Rutledge, Morgan Mitchell, Joe Walsh, Mike Stewart, Wade McRae, Jahvis Wallace, Greg Dyer, Junior Ngaluafe.
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (Canterbury)