Munster sign Cullen on a 3 year deal

[Toby]

Just read the Herald article posted above.

Mitch must have been watching some other guy called Christian Cullen this season.

The Christian Cullen I watched was easily the best kiwi fullback in the super 12 this year.

Yes he's lost some pace, but he shouldn't be compared to how fast he was, he should be compared against current players available now.  Fact is, even with a fridge on his back, he's still fast enough.

Seems Mitch in one breath doesn't want to look at his past (humpteen tries and oodles of experience), yet does bring up the past, if it suits his arguement (loss of pace etc).

Apparently our fullbacks rank in Mitch's eyes, McDonald, Muliana, Blair, Cullen (probably with the middle 2 swapping).  BOLLOCKS!

Congrats Munster.
You've just scored one of the worlds best rugby players, nowhere near his use-by date.  

Meanwhile, looks like Mitch and Deans are going to pray that McDonald isn't in as much trouble as it looks he is....

[Tesrof]

Mitch must have been watching some other guy called Christian Cullen this season.
The Christian Cullen I watched was easily the best kiwi fullback in the super 12 this year.
Apparently our fullbacks rank in Mitch's eyes, McDonald, Muliana, Blair, Cullen (probably with the middle 2 swapping).  BOLLOCKS!

I agree 100% Toby.  

For consistant form throughout the Super 12 it's very hard to accept Cullen was not the best.  Add Doug Howlett to the list of full backs Mitchell ranks ahead of Cullen.

Time the NZRFU changed the rules and allowed players playing outside of New Zealand to be selected in the All Blacks.

Cheers
T

[Nathan]

If that happens the game will die at NPC and Super 12 level - take away the only incentive for staying in NZ and the exodus of our players will triple, quadruple, increase by 10 times overnight.
We'd become the new Fiji of world rugby.

[3me]

Well losing a talent like Cullen, obviously tells us that there are lots of talented rugby players in the NZ and getting all of them into the All Blacks World Cup Squad will be nearly impossible.

Compare to the Aussies, we're still have a very small group of pro rugby players like there is still a lack of competition in terms of Wallabies front row depth . Someone have to tell the ARU to hurry up with the establishment of a National comp in Aust.

[Geeves]

I have been informed that a national comp is expected to start within the next 2 years.  Or next year as I can't find the details at the moment.  As the ARU was attempting to cash in on the potential benefit of increased supporters from the RWC.  

The major hurdle to date has appeared to be the Sydney Clubs.  As the ACT Vickings now have to play in the Brisbane comp as Sydney didn't like loosing to them.

It is expected to involve teams ftom Sydney, Brisbane, ACT, Gosford area, Melbourne and Perth.  But until I see a draw I won't believe it.

[jules]

Good call Nath, how can any NZ rugby player who has the chance to earn $900,000 per year turn that down?!? Especially when you have had an amazing and rewarding international career. The fact that you didn't win a RWC (or a Super12 trophy) is a shame but hardly unique to Cully.

Of course you have to be a Christian Cullen to earn those sort of $$ but virtually every kiwi player who has gone overseas has gone with the $$ first and foremost in their mind. The fact that you get to live in another country and have some great experiences outside of rugby is just the icing on the cake.

I'm as sorry as anyone that Cully is going, but good luck to him and congrats to any Munster fans out there.

Assuming the obvious scenario happens and Cully just plays out the NPC and rides off into the sunset it will be nice for all his fans to get one last chance to see him playing for Wellington. Thanks for the memories Cully, you are indeed a legend.

Jules