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Munsterman
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« on: July 03, 2003, 06:33:36 AM » |
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Munster have signed Christian Cullen on a 3 year deal.
Munster have got the linebreaker they needed so badly in the Heineken Cup this year. Its a great signing for Munster and Im looking forward to seeing Cullen in action later this year.
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Tesrof
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« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2003, 06:53:10 AM » |
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Congratulations Munster - your coaching team has way more intelligence than Ditch & Means.
Munster beat the All Blacks again!
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« Last Edit: July 03, 2003, 07:15:28 AM by Tesrof »
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“All of us have schnozzles . . . if not in our faces, then in our character, minds or habits. When we admit our schnozzles, instead of defending them, we begin to laugh, and the world laughs with us.”
Jimmy Durante
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Captain Ordinary
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Jono Gibbes - LEGEND
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« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2003, 07:20:26 AM » |
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Who's next? Mehrtens? Randall? Maxwell? Marshall?
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A Woody in the Bush is worth two in the Hand.
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Loose Unit
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« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2003, 08:07:42 AM » |
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This smells of the "we don't need you cause we've go Ben Blair" comment NZRFU to Bruce Reihana, what a great call that proved to be  . Hopefully Cully will still be available for the world cup cause I think we will need him, but I believe Munsters season starts in September ... surely you would have a world cup clause in your contract ... it will be interesting to see the TriNations squad this weekend and whether we have a rash of similar announcements after that... |
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The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.
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jules
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one-eye on the prize
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« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2003, 10:09:55 AM » |
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I'm sure Cully has an "selected for the RWC" out clause but as you say it surely signals that Ben Blair has the inside running for the Fullback spot if Mils or Rangi are injured.
I remember when Taine Randell was interviewed a while back about looking at signing with a UK team he mentioned that he would have a "RWC clause" in any contract he signed.
It will be very sad to see Cully go but I don't feel like we are doomed without him. We know what a fit Macdonald can do and I was very impressed with Mils (on attack at least) on the weekend.
If Blair is the next in line then he's not exactly a chump, he was the encumbant AB fullback before he got injured on last years tour and he proved in the game for Canty yesterday that he hasn't suffered any loss of skills due to the injury.
His game reminds me of Cullen in any case, particularly his timing hitting the ball on attack, and he has so much guts and determination on defense, much like a younger Cully did. On top of that he's a damn good goal-kicker (10 from 13 yesterday).
If Cully isn't called back in then I'd be pretty happy if any of those 3 are at the back.
Jules
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I support: NZ, Crusaders, Canterbury, Highlanders and anyone playing England  Rugby - a welcome distraction from post-quake reality |
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Loose Unit
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« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2003, 10:35:18 AM » |
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I still have concerns about Blair at international level, he is still yet to prove himself. One solid hit on him and he tends to get gun shy especially under the high ball. And I know who I would have more faith in tackling Cohen on the break, and it ain't Ben Blair...
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The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.
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jules
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one-eye on the prize
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« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2003, 10:49:14 AM » |
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Yep, I'd rather it was Rangi Macdonald too LooseUnit...  Seriously though Cohen made Latham look silly in Melbourne a few weeks back so size isn't a big part of the equation when it comes to one-on-one tackling. Cully (1.80m, 85kg) is definitely taller than Blair (1.74m, 83kg) which is a factor under the highball for sure but I don't think he's a better tackler, but has more experience for sure. Interestingly Jason Robinson (wing/fullback for England) is even shorter than Blair, at 1.72m. In any case you can prefer Cully as much as you like, the reality appears to be that he's not going to be the man for the job. Jules |
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I support: NZ, Crusaders, Canterbury, Highlanders and anyone playing England Rugby - a welcome distraction from post-quake reality |
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Dingo
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« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2003, 03:29:31 PM » |
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I think Cullen goes with everyone's blessing, at his best NZ rugby has not seen another attacking player like him.
Still all Wellingtonians will remember Ben Blair slicing into the backline and in between Lomu and Cullen to retain the Shield......... a worthwhile replacement
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ugly ref
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« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2003, 03:40:04 PM » |
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I know players careers shouldn't balance on one act, by by crikey Blair should have scored easily when he was one on one vs Cohen last nov at Twickers.
He had a big barrelling wing screaming at him to cut him off at the corner, all he needed to do was slow, or step off his left.... nothing, at that was meant to be his strength, jinky well balanced running.
Sorry, go back and have another good NPC and prove yourself, and bring a guy back who has proved his try-scoring ability.....Christian Cullen!
Ugly
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New Brighton, Waikiwi, Southland, Canterbury, ABs.
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BBK
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Keepin it real
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« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2003, 03:55:47 PM » |
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its sad to see C.C go over to the place of shamrocks and leprichauns  its gonna be sad for myself and plenty of Wellington fans eventhoe im an otago man i do live in hastings and well you have 2 say it wont be the same seeing someone else in the canes 15 or the lions jersey. But if it helps the euro teams on skill and experience by signing players like that then christain its good to see ur not putting ur career to waste but ur doing a good deed for the north hemisphere. (maybe they should make a first 15 full of oversea converts) that would be a strong team bbk ps. i just wanna see jk play again |
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Loose Unit
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« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2003, 05:15:14 PM » |
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Well, things have clarified a bit since Radio Sports Christian Cullen departing anouncement woke me from my slumber ... He is playing out the NPC and hopefully the world cup before departing, so fortunately he may still be carving up the opposition in Aussie later in the year, fingers crossed.
I guess now is a good timein his career to go, although it is still disappointing for his fans not to be able to see his games any more... Judging by one of the interviews on Radio Sport with a female fan from Munster if the rugby doesn't go well for him, there will still be plenty of fun to be had at the "Sin Bin" club, just the name of it has me intrigued...
Wellington supports must be concerned with Cullen gone, Jonah probably gone, Umanga getting on a bit... can Nonu pick up the slack, no pressure mate. Or do you already have CC2 / Cullen Clone, Brent Ward, in your sights!?!?
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The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.
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Stripe
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Counties >Hurricanes >New Zealand
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« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2003, 05:46:47 PM » |
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well i for one am gutted. |
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England Fan
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« Reply #12 on: July 04, 2003, 04:37:28 AM » |
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Well I, for one, am relieved.
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Tesrof
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« Reply #13 on: July 04, 2003, 01:36:01 PM » |
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“All of us have schnozzles . . . if not in our faces, then in our character, minds or habits. When we admit our schnozzles, instead of defending them, we begin to laugh, and the world laughs with us.”
Jimmy Durante
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Nathan
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« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2003, 08:13:56 PM » |
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Sorry to see you go Cully - absolute champion.
It doesn't sound like he's going to be miserable in Munster though. Apart from anything else he's getting paid $900,000 (!!!) per year over 3 years. By comparison an All Black regular gets $250,000 IF he's selected. Amazing that he's stayed as long as he has!
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There are always things that we can work on and they vary from week to week. But if we get all those things right at one time someone’s going to be in for it.
- All Blacks Coach Graham Henry
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