Have you heard the one about the star prop who plays chess in his free time?
This might sound like the start of another tall tale. Middle forwards are simple creatures, or so prevailing wisdom goes.
Lindsay Collins is here to prove otherwise.
Lindsay Collins Try
The Roosters prop is the picture of a rugby league hard man, with the missing tooth and scars to show for it.
But there is much more to Collins than meets the eye. So while he appreciates the simplicity of 'run hard, tackle hard', the veteran relishes the opportunity to broaden his horizons off the field.
"I started playing chess at school," Collins told ljmpta.com. "I grew up playing it with my dad and enjoy the game.
"There was a period when I was playing with my wife for a bit. My daughter is not old enough yet to play, she just picks the pieces up and runs away but maybe in a couple of years she'll be having her way with me.
"There's still the simplicity of being a front rower and run hard, tackle hard on the field, but that's who I am off the field."
Match: Sharks v Roosters
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Roosters
8th Position
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Collins is in the midst of a purple patch in form as he prepares to lead the Roosters into Saturday's elimination final against the Sharks.
The prop has produced a dominant two months on the back of Queensland's State of Origin success and played a key role in the club's unexpected top-eight finish.
Given how well the veteran is playing, it's hard to believe Collins was wondering how much more he had left in him before the start of the season.
Eight years in the middle had taken its toll on the prop and Collins feared his body was starting to break down.
"At the start of the year, my body was wrecked," Collins said. "We looked at it and I'd played 60 games in a row. Two full seasons, two full Origin series and then two full international campaigns back-to-back and I hadn't had a break.
"I came into the start of the year and I had all these little niggles and my body was pretty well shot. I didn't think I could be doing this much longer."
The veteran turned to renowned physical performance coach Nigel Beach to help reinvigorate his career.
Beach has worked with a host of stars in both rugby league and union, including Cam Murray, Hudson Young, Connor Watson and numerous All Blacks.
Lindsay Smith Try
Collins met the expert during last year's Pacific Championships and credits him for helping give his career a second wind.
"We put a program together and then the MCL injury [in Round 5] was a blessing in disguise," Collins said. "It gave me six weeks to get those other little things right and it's been huge for me.
"Working with Nigel has given me motivation to keep going. At the start of the year I wasn't looking at quitting but I was sore. My body wasn't holding up so Nigel's been huge for me.
"With my performances I feel younger. It might sound crazy but the way I've been carrying the ball and my fitness capacity, I feel like I'm a couple of years younger."
The off-season departure of club legend Jared Waerea-Hargreaves saw considerable responsibility thrust upon Collins at the start of the year.
The veteran was tasked with leading a young pack both on and off the field while maintaining his own lofty standards.
The youngsters delivered, with Naufahu Whyte developing into one of the most punishing middle forwards in the game and Blake Steep, Siua Wong and Salesi Foketi all emerging as crucial members of a physical pack.
Career night for Whyte
Collins has relished the extra responsibility and looks forward to leading from the front at Sharks Stadium on Saturday night.
"It's been a bit of a different season for me," Collins said. "As a leader and now a vice-captain I've had this young group coming through to lead. I've enjoyed it and I'm proud of these young boys coming through and putting in these performances.
"It's nice to be a leader of this club and this team and I'm proud of where we're at.
"The confidence we've got over the last couple of weeks through our hard work is holding us in good stead going into the finals."
