All Blacks hero Christian Cullen, dubbed "the greatest fullback in the world," has returned to New Zealand with his kKwi partner, Mandy Fawcett, after a four-year tour of duty playing for Munster in Ireland.

His original player's contract was for three years, but he elected to extend it for another 12 months when approached by the club.

An aggravated shoulder injury has plagued Cullen for some time now and it would appear that he has possibly decided to call it a day and focus on other aspects of his life, although there is an air of uncertainty whether he will or will not return to Munster. And who can begrudge him that after his magnificent contribution to New Zealand's national sport?

'Sevens rugby is the best training ground for young fellows'


Cullen, at times, found the game plan frustrating whilst playing for Munster: "They unintentionally tend to play 10-man rather than 15-man rugby, so getting good ball was sometimes difficult," he said.

He attributes his successful rugby career to Gordon Titchens. "It was the Hong Kong Sevens that was the stage for my abilities. It exposed me to the international stage and my progression to the All Blacks," he said.

"Sevens rugby is the best training ground for young fellows. You learn skills, ethics and train a lot harder. I did a lot of training on my own in the early years and thought I was doing well until Gordon got hold of me!

"I remember weighing 80 kilos and 'Titch' was putting us through a training run in Singapore. It was stinking hot and my heartbeat was 198. I recall someone commenting: 'Take it easy Titch, ease up!'''

Cullen firmly believes that it is the coach who brings a team together. ''Team members have to learn to take constructive criticism, it's par for the course. You have to be able to sit down and watch a video of a game and understand and accept it. A good coach gets to know his team."

As for the quarter-final match against France, in which the All Blacks were defeated by the narrowest of margins, Cullen asks the question: "Where was Doug Howlett?"

Cullen scored a record 46 tries whilst playing for the All Blacks. Another great facet to his career has been the quiet and undiminishing support of family, especially his father. "I gave dad my first Test match jersey and boots, and the boots from my last game in Wellington", he revealed.

So what now for Cullen? "It's time to rest the body, it's sore after four years of rugby," he says.

Cullen and Mandy are planning to have a house built here in New Zealand, and Christian is actively involved in a New Trust of God Motivation School, which is also being strongly supported by Sir John Trimmer, who is also nationally recognised for his involvement in the arts.

Based on the Kapiti Coast, the school's main focus is to motivate young children. And his advice to the younger generation? "Discipline and work hard while enjoying what you do. If you have a dream, you can do it."

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