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Paekakariki Express: Christian Cullen

It takes quite a player to push Jonah Lomu off the sportspages, but Christian Cullen has done just that. He is rated by South Africa’s own Andrč Joubert as the best fullback in world rugby today. Bob Dwyer thinks only Zinzan Brooke rivals Cullen as the best player in the world. These must all be seen as massive complements for Christian.

Cullen is a sensation. He first came to prominence at the 1996 Hong Kong Sevens by scoring 18 tries – seven of them in one match. He is just as devastating in the 15-a-side game. Since his debut for Horowhenua at age 18, Cullen has scored 70 tries in 24 first-class matches. No other player can rival his strike rate in so a short time. It took Stu Wilson an entire playing career to set the All Black record of 18 test tries. Cullen has 21 in just 21 tests.

Cullen is Pound for Pound New Zealand’s strongest player. Only 5 "10" and weighing 84Kg’s, he can bench-press 145Kg. He is also stunningly fast, running the 40m in 4,8s.

He hails from Paekakarika, a hamlet of 700 dwelling at the bottom of New Zealand’s North Island, hence his nickname "The Paekakariki Express".

Cullen was a major factor in the Hurricane’s semifinal success, and he is sure to set the Super 12 and NPC alight again.