Munster Sign Christian Cullen

Munster Rugby confirmed today (Wednesday July 2nd) that Christian Cullen, the Wellington full-back capped 58 times by the All Blacks will join their squad on a three year contract later this year.

Munster Rugby confirmed today (Wednesday July 2nd) that Christian Cullen, the Wellington full-back capped 58 times by the All Blacks will join their squad on a three year contract beginning later this year.

The 27 year old who was born in Paraparaumu made his international debut against Samoa in 1996 and since then has become New Zealand’s highest Test try scorer in his half century of consecutive Test matches. He holds the distinction of having never been dropped in his All Blacks career, a career in which he has scored 236 Test points, including a record 46 tries, two more than the previous record holder, Jeff Wilson.

Cullen, record Super 12 try scorer, will not be totally unfamiliar with the Munster squad members, he played with Jason Holland in Manawatu and he will join Holland and the rest of the Munster squad sometime in the autumn. Speaking of his impending move Cullen said, ” I am really thrilled to be coming over to play with Munster. I think it’s a great opportunity to play with one of the most successful sides in European rugby. One of the major attractions for me was seeing them perform in Europe. Everything about the move is exciting, the supporters, the people involved. They are without question one of the best sides in Europe and I’m really looking forward to joining them.”

Munster coach Alan Gaffney heard the news that Cullen’s signing had been confirmed, minutes before he took a Munster squad session in a sunny Cork and Gaffney was understandably delighted.” Ah it’s just wonderful news, ” he said, ” Christian is not just world class he’s also a really lovely guy who will fit in superbly well here. Besides the obvious advantages that a player of his talent will bring I believe that the players around him will benefit enormously from his presence in the squad. He carries a wealth of experience on young shoulders.”

He is truly a player of enormous stature in the world game and I think it’s a huge tribute to Irish rugby but in particular to Munster that he has opted to continue his career with our squad. A great player deserves a great squad. “