Getting to Know Christian Cullen

Christian Cullen was born in Paraparaumu on the west coast of New Zealand’s north island in February of 1976.

Christian Cullen was born in Paraparaumu on the west coast of New Zealand’s north island in February of 1976.

He was educated in Kapiti College and played with Manawatu/Central Vikings making his National Provincial Championship (NPC) debut with Wellington against Transvaal in Horowhenua in 1994. In 1996 he made his Super 12 debut with the Hurricanes against the (Auckland) Blues and in that same year he scored three tries in his international debut against Samoa in Napier.

On his way to becoming the most capped All Black (58 caps) he started by winning 51 of those caps consecutively. In March of this year he scored two tries in the Hurricanes 33-18 victory over the Stormers at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington to become the first player to break the 50 try barrier in Super 12 rugby. His last All Black appearance was against France last November and his most recent appearance against international opposition was when he played with New Zealand Maori against England last month.

Cullen made his mark initially at international level when he played in the 1995 Hong Kong Sevens and again in 1996 when New Zealand won the title. Even at the tender age of 27 he is widely recognized as one of the great full-backs of world rugby.

He’ a a keen golfer playing off 6 and when rugby allows normally plays at the Shadone Club in Petone with Tana Umaga as his usual golf partner.

STATS:

Position: Full back

Date of Birth: 12.02.76

Height: 180cm

Weight: 85kg

NPC Debut: v Transvaal 1994

Super 12 Debut: v Blues 1996

Int. Debut: v Samoa 1996

Test Caps: 58

Test Points: 236

Test tries: 46