For me, he wasn't "probably" the best fullback NZ ever had...he is the best fullback of ALL TIME!! I don't care what anybody says and I am not a Kiwi.👍
I was on holiday in Fiji at a resort called Volivoli, where I was fortunate to meet All Blacks legend Joe Rokocoko and was able to sit down and have a beer with him. Completely down to earth & a real nice person. A great man. During the conversation I asked Joe "if you could pay to see any player play, who would it be?" He didn't even have to think about it. "without a doubt bro - Christian Cullen" was his reply.
I am a South African (colour immaterial) Christian Cullen was one of the best runners with a rugby ball I have ever seen. Saw him in 1995 - unforgettable...
@@MoerseBokbaas1 Hardly. Kolbe's sidesteps are staccato, Cullen is more flow (legato). And @tjsteenekamp6588 you probably mean 1996, in 1995 he was an unknown quantity. '96 Hong Kong Sevens was when he announced himself. Agreed, the way he moved was special.
I think graham henry 1st, mitchell 2nd. henry thought he was bigger than NZ rugby. He took the players out of super rugby for his reconditioning BS, whereas even a primary school rugby coach knows you can't beat match fitness. Handed the super title, for the first time to a SA team, gave them the morale boost to win the next world cup and gave them dominance over AB rugby.
I met John Mitchell on the end of tour 2002, Wales was their last game in Cardiff, I also met Jonah, Tana and Taine. Anyway when I met JM I asked why he wasn't selecting Cullen, he said he's not good enough, I replied saying we will not win the world cup without him, JM said, he needs to prove himself. There we were a few bitter mooloo men back then. ✌️
Bok supporter- always felt CC was the finest fullback I’d ever seen play the game - still do - when he played the Boks he made us all nervous. Sublime lines he ran, great hands, incredible all round. Sad to hear how it ended for him; he deserved better.
Calling yourself non-white is the most outdated, self loathing label we as black or colored people can do to refer to ourselves. A non-white clearly meant during a time of apartheid that you were SUPPOSED TO BE WHITE...as if we as a people have not an identity of our own. To come back to your key statement...yes...Cullen remains the best ever fullback in my view.😊
Christian Cullen is one of my favourite All Blacks of all time. I was gutted that he got dropped from the ABs. What hurt the most was that he still had one more World Cup left in him. I remember in the 2003 World Cup seeing the ABs lacking attacking fire power and thinking "this is why we needed Cullen!"
I agree with much of everything you say,I at least know of two moments in our history when our head coaches made disastrous selections concerning players non selection,Wayne Shelford and Christian Cullen.Whats more even though their achievements would live long in the memory of rugby fans Buck and Cully still command mentions as greats in their positions.How the Aussies must have jumped for joy the 2003 World Cup, would U have scored Stirling Matlock?
Shelford was replaced by Zinzan Brooke, Cullen by Mils Muliaina, so it’s hard to say those were disastrous selections. As much as we love great players, careers do come to an end - Cully barely played a game in 2004 due to injuries.
I think it was about rebuilding and the aussie's happened have two exceptional players in Ealls and a couple of harden forwards who matched the all black forwards and Mitchell who wasn't experienced enough to work out how to counter
NZs greatest fullback. It was a privilege to watch him play. I still remember him sidestepping the whole Fijian sevens team in his own in goal, then run the length of the field to score.
Thanks cullen for giving me the love for the sport rugby. I cant remember the game u played but u come up short from the try line and when u placed the ball u bounced it off the ground for ur team mate to score. Thats one of my best moments watching u play. Genius way ahead of ur time.
I flew from Auckland to Wellington to watch Christian's last game because he was that good. The guy deserved better than he got, no one would say that about Mitchell
...yep, I've been watching footy for 60 years. If I want to watch some fantastic rugby once in a while on YT I always head straight to a Christian Cullen highlights video. There's been a lot of very special players but he was something else altogether.
What an interview. Christian Cullen was truly an All Black great. How cool was he. Thanks for this What a lad podcast., You have a speak easy style to the interview which gives it old style class. I worked with his cousin Mervyn Cullen in Sydney years ago. Honourable rugby days.
I'm an ex Sth. African 68 year old and he's by far the best and most exciting fullback I've ever seen. Better, imo, than the great JPR Williams and Andre Joubert
Wow mate that’s bloody high regard. Kwagga Smith is one of my favourites!! But really there is to many great SA players to single one out. All the best to you and yours.
That 2003 ABS World cup team would've been a lot different had Wayne Smith and Tony Gilbert stayed on board. Cullen was leaps and bounds ahead of every other fullback, let alone 5th haha. Wilson probably would've been at the 03 WC too. Awesome podcast man
Another shameful mark in the ledger of NZR mismanagement: Smith and Gilbert were never a match, Smith wanted Peter Sloane (Blues) as his 2nd, but the national union foisted Gilbert on him. They undermined the coaches and then blamed them for the team's underperformance. Then to cap it off, they dropped both and appointed Mitchell, whose only qualifications were a couple of years assisting Clive Woodward in England and a single year in charge of the Chiefs. He was completely out of his depth, a raging insecurity case with a life coach and a weakness for pop-psychology jargon, but he spoke fluent corporate BS so he was able to convince the board to hand him the keys. We know the rest.
...yep, I always reckon that Mitchells limp-divk ego got in the way with Cullen. He was jealous and made him pay. Absolute disgrace of a human being. Can never be forgiven.
You shouldn't have been dropped. You were the best full back, I totally disagreed to Mitchells coaching. In my opinion you're the best full back weve ever had.
Christian - you were awesome and i had both the pleasure of watching you play and also working with your dad .... i live in the USA now and have been for 25 years but when i educate my american friends about rugby you are one odf the great players i talk about....... John Mitchel did you dirty mate
As a kiwi you guys have to many incredible players to single one out. Naas Botha Danie Gerber Shalk Berger Francois pienaar Frik Du Preez Bryan Habana Os Du Rant Siya kolisi John Smit Eben etzebeth Honestly it goes on and on.
Thanks for some cracking memories Cully, always believed you chucked it in 2 seasons too early, you'll be remembered as one of our best mate, cheers, was there ever a Paekakariki Express?
Paekakariki is a small township about an hr north of Wgtn. Was a railway junction on main line to Auckland, now not needed, is home of a couple of restored steam loco's. Cullen it's only express (hope you didn't know this already)
A try I saw against the Sharks in Welly early in his career...was nothing less than magic ....speed ...movement ...audacity... unpredictability...never seem anything like it again.
I've never heard Cully talk like this before. He was awesome in this interview! Loved the player, his tries against the Scots and Wallabies were incredible to say the least. Now after this interview I love the man too. he is cool :-)
John Mitchell was the worst AB coach ever, most disrespectful coach ever! The way he use to take the piss out of Andy Martin, ex-SAS captain, an man who served his country, being made fun of, from that clown! He’s lucky Andy was a gentleman.
If you were facing a team with Christian Cullen in it you’d be dropping your lunch. Facing John Mitchell… not so much. The injury story probably indicates the end of his test career wasn’t that far off. But anyone would take his legacy in those 50 tests at that crazy level over a diminishing series of coaching jobs. The best rugby player I’ve ever seen.
As a Wellingtonian, "the Paekak Express" was a star, that acceleration, swerve and speed from his gliding run was so great to watch and his leaving was a tragic loss. Cully was always so fit and immensely strong in upper body for a small back, a good reader of the game, he could appear like magic, take the ball and be gone! So it is a little sad that an All Black Great was wasn't treated as well as one might expect., surely it wasn't anything to do with provincial rivalries. Injuries took their toll obviously and the game obviously wasn't as professional back then, but you can see in this laconic frank interview that there is no bitterness, just accepting of realities and fate! Life can be cruel. Still I'd always buy Cully a beer and thank him any day.
I remember vividly when it got annouced he wasn't in the RWC team. The news clip he had a hoodie over his head like he didn't want to be seen by the media. He gave the camera the middle finger. He was pissed like the rest of NZ. Basically everyone acknowledges Cullen as the greatest 15 ever in rugby. Mitchell got dumped and ended up at the usless Western Force and was pretty much a no body after that. To never get another international job after the ABs shows what his character must have been like.
unfortunate and sad bud, thats rugby politics for ya, new coach comes in, the man has his team already picked, if you aint in it, your career is over. forget about your razzle dazzle, side stepping skills, ur rep dont mean zip, if he dont want ya, ur out.
I remember Mitchell came into our Waikato Club Rugby Team for Ōtorohanga and his expertise was how to draw pass. I was excited to get a coach of that caliber to be massively disappointed with his "expertise". Even when we challenged him about his attacking "ideologies" he shut up shop and said it's his way or the highway lol
Mitchell's time at the Force was crazy, in the end the Force players called in lawyers & only communicated with Mitchell, their coach, thru the lawyers. True story
He was my favourite All Black. There was nothing he couldn't do and his speed was just outlandish. And as a Leinster fan, I would always watch the Munster games when he was playing😅 I think he contributed massively in changing the mindset in Ireland about standards of excellence. And professionalisation of the game. I'll never forget his last game at Munster, really emotional. He is still a local hero.
There's a reason why Mitchell continuously moves on from where he is coaching, must be 7 or 8 teams he's had and then left, and no one speaks fondly of him at any of those places. Control freak.
I loved watching Christian Cullen play! To me, and for a while, he was EASILY my favourite NZ player - and still in my ALL TIME TOP 5. I hated how he was shafted to allow Jeff Wilson in. My only happiness is that NONE of that generation picked up the Webb Ellis Trophy. Cullen, you were and will ALWAYS be my favourite 15!!!
Loved Cully , really looked forward to games he was playing in …really disappointed when he was not there…shame the way it was done . Still remembered ❤️💚💯👍🏻🆒🥰💖
The best 15 by far, and as a bok supporter that is saying alot. It would look like he was jogging, like a trivial training run almost, whilst everyone else was sprinting to keep up. That Wellington side, with Cullen, Tana, Jerry, Lomu, etc were the most entertaining team to ever grace this sport we love. 😂, also don't forget they played their best footy when they were down to 13 men😂😂
Cully was the man - True legend f the game. The pace and reading the game made him a great. Gutted when Mitchell cam on the scene. Canes and Lions all day
Putting aside the John Mitchell criticisms but based off this interview it sounded like CC was physically breaking down. That All Blacks team especially the backline in the 03 world cup in particular the blues boys were all young and super fit. Spencer, Howlett, Rokocoko, Muliaina were all in form and the Blues killed it that year too so i kinda get why CC was on the outer.
Mitchell was the worst coach the All Blacks ever had but he didn't have to be difficult like that if he was a complete professional. And the worse thing about it all was he did not know he was a proper unprofessional peasant. I feel sorry for him especially after he started coaching overseas then rugby people discovered how low he really was.
Christian Cullen, you are still a legend! The only problem I have with you is that you didn’t come from Otematata! You, Goldie, Merts, Josh Kronfield, Ritchie, Aron Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma Nonu, Ben Smith…..bla bla… What a great interview with a Kiwi Great! Cheers Cobber
Cannot remember my countryman JPR playing, and he was a different style of fullback, Christian Cullen was the best fullback i have ever watched, just ghosted past people !.
I'm a full blooded Springbok supporter, but Cullen is my pick for all time world 15 in the modern era. He was a devastating runner with pace, timing, vision and masterful touches. This video is painful to watch, and is so typical of coaches that destroy teams by choosing favourites above skill at the cost of team moral.... And the end result is always the same. I salute the ABs they eat, sleep, breathe rugby just like us South Africans, hopefully there's a lesson here.
My recollection of that time is that, in a kind of tribute to Cullen, opposition teams were adapting. Though a fabulous runner he didn't have a great kick return. Opposition teams started more and more to use a tight chase line that stifled Cullens amazing open field running. He didn't know how to adjust and he was getting caught more often. The move to centre was a fail but it was an attempt to keep him in the game where his running game was being choked off. Is my recall anyway.
As an Irishman I would say when I saw mr Cullen play live many moons ago for the all blacks I’d have him level pegging with BoD. Can’t given him any higher praise than that, what a player 👏
It was such a great time as a kid growing up in Wellington watching the likes of Cully, Jonah, Tana etc for both the Canes and ABs. Didnt appreciate it at the time but i do now.
It's very simple to me. Cullen is a legend among legends, Mitchell is not and could never be. Those were dark days for the All Blacks, probably on a par with the incompetent Foster. Both Waikato guys come to think of it. Interesting
I am 66 years of age now. I've followed the game for over 50 years. In my opinion, based on consistancy of Test match form , Christian Cullen was the finest full-back in the world during his time as an All Blacks player. Some people simply do not click. 'One man's meat might be another man's poison'. Mitchell will never be remembered as an All Blacks Test player. He will, however, be remembered for being sacked by the NZRU. Mitchell seems to thrive better in the English International female game..
Muliaina was a solid 15 though, best in he world from 2004-2009. Mitchell did oick an odd centre pairing in the 2003 World Cup though (after Umaga's injury), especially when having an on-fire Daniel Carter on the bench who could have easily been the 12 and primary goalkicker.
As a Bok fan, I must say something funny - I never noticed Christian for a while. The thing is, he played fullback while Jonah was on the wing and we were all fixated on Jonah, including the Boks. So while they lined up for the glory to tackle Jonah, Christian scored a shitload of tries against us. It was only when I started wondering how come we never won that I realised there was this genius in the back that was killing us...
What an injustice, has to be New Zealand Rugby's greatest crime allowing that to happen. In all my 80 years I've never seen a better fullback in any Jersey!
I always wondered. You didn't leave. You were nudged. I'll not speak ill of the man. Other than, he didn't have a brilliant All Black coaching career. You on the other hand, had a remarkable career. Regardless of injuries and setbacks. You champed it out brother. We can only imagine how many seemingly effortless tries we could have seen you run in if not for that coaching change. And from what I see in this interview. A humble bloke that wears his greatness with grace. Not once did you chuck a barb at any one. Ups to you brother. Chur 🤙🏼
I remember it well at the time , I didn’t have a problem so much with mils getting selected ahead of him in the starting 15 , mils was an exciting young talent , in form and cully was showing signs of slowing down a bit , But Ben Blair and then Ben atiga being selected ahead of him was so wrong . Cullen would have been a valuable squad member even if not starting.
Mitchell was one of the most forgettable All Black coaches. Noone remembers anything he achieved in rugby but everyone still remembers Christian Cullen. I was there at the ground when he received a standing ovation in his final game in NZ. Could sense there was a reluctance and sadness when acknowledging the crowd that day. Now I know why.
Cullie GOAT. Some of the things he did on the field you will never see again. Best fullback I’ve ever seen. When ever he received the ball you never knew what would happen but it would be good. Mitchell and Deans, still on a journey and are remembered for the wrongful Cullen sacking. As for the BS Mitchell speak, made him sound demented. Out of his depth, NZRU blunder yet again.
Been waiting for over 20 years for this interview. My favourite player growing up. Mitchell you kefe lol
@@yezerd3388 😂
May Favourite Player Ever,
Kiwi here
Sole a'e. Se sa'o lelei, Mitchell you kefe 😂😂😂
I will never forgive John Mitchell for denying the rugby world the privilege of seeing the Paekakariki Express fly again
..Yep, no question about that.
Agreed 💯
Mitchell keep Jonah on the sideline in SA too...let face it the guy was a huge dickhead
That is a shit nickname
you and the rest of new zealand
Cully was probably the best fullback NZ has ever had . Was criminal that he was dropped.
I like Cullen too, don't forget John Gallagher he was pretty top draw for his era
The best ball runner but not the best fullback. He was electrically charged momentum.
Can't argue with that!
Nah Bender Smith is the ultimate fullback
For me, he wasn't "probably" the best fullback NZ ever had...he is the best fullback of ALL TIME!! I don't care what anybody says and I am not a Kiwi.👍
I was on holiday in Fiji at a resort called Volivoli, where I was fortunate to meet All Blacks legend Joe Rokocoko and was able to sit down and have a beer with him. Completely down to earth & a real nice person. A great man. During the conversation I asked Joe "if you could pay to see any player play, who would it be?" He didn't even have to think about it. "without a doubt bro - Christian Cullen" was his reply.
Thats a cool story and I'm not surprised he said Christian Cullen.
@@whataladpodcast yep for sure.
I am a South African (colour immaterial) Christian Cullen was one of the best runners with a rugby ball I have ever seen. Saw him in 1995 - unforgettable...
@@tjsteenekamp6588 the way he moved was special!
He was a super hero to me to be honest watching him with the ball those days 😂
Cheslin Kolbe style reminisce
@@MoerseBokbaas1 Hardly. Kolbe's sidesteps are staccato, Cullen is more flow (legato). And @tjsteenekamp6588 you probably mean 1996, in 1995 he was an unknown quantity. '96 Hong Kong Sevens was when he announced himself. Agreed, the way he moved was special.
Matt Burke was a better all round fullback
The greatest player I have ever seen live. November 29th 1997 at Wembley stadium Vs Wales. He was on another planet.
@@anthonycorsi6409 yup beautiful to watch
the best ever... he changed rugby for ever!!!
Cully and G.I different codes but, an absolute pleasure to watch. Magical!!
I'm 67 and Christian Cullen is my favourite player of all time. Just loved watching him play. Gutted when Mitchell dropped him.
Me too & me too.
I'm with you there on all of your comments!
I’m 54 and he’s my favorite of all time, also. Just his smooth gap running and space awareness was in another world.
Name race horse after Him and was Top race Horse won lots races
Legend Cully. Beautiful runner with the ball. Remember all the good times. You made us all proud.
Mitchell and Deans were the biggest blockheads ever to coach the All blacks in the pro era.
💯
I think graham henry 1st, mitchell 2nd. henry thought he was bigger than NZ rugby. He took the players out of super rugby for his reconditioning BS, whereas even a primary school rugby coach knows you can't beat match fitness. Handed the super title, for the first time to a SA team, gave them the morale boost to win the next world cup and gave them dominance over AB rugby.
One of the best players ever to lace up a pair of rugby boots. Thanks for your service mate !!
Picking a worlds best 15 always easily includes Cully. ❤
100%!
Always
I met John Mitchell on the end of tour 2002, Wales was their last game in Cardiff, I also met Jonah, Tana and Taine. Anyway when I met JM I asked why he wasn't selecting Cullen, he said he's not good enough, I replied saying we will not win the world cup without him, JM said, he needs to prove himself. There we were a few bitter mooloo men back then. ✌️
@@ChandlerBinge 😂 that’s good stuff!
Bloody hell. Didn't realize it was that bad. I knew Mitchell was a Muppet, but I didn't know he was miss piggie. Thanks for the comment!
Prove himself 😮😮😮
Bok supporter- always felt CC was the finest fullback I’d ever seen play the game - still do - when he played the Boks he made us all nervous. Sublime lines he ran, great hands, incredible all round. Sad to hear how it ended for him; he deserved better.
Ben Smith slightly is better
Agreed, watched Springbok rugby for 40 years and have never feared an opposition player as much Christian Cullen.
Im a South African non white, strong ALL BLACK SUPPORTER. I still blame Mitchell for destryoing the career of best ever 15 Christian CULLEN.
Calling yourself non-white is the most outdated, self loathing label we as black or colored people can do to refer to ourselves. A non-white clearly meant during a time of apartheid that you were SUPPOSED TO BE WHITE...as if we as a people have not an identity of our own. To come back to your key statement...yes...Cullen remains the best ever fullback in my view.😊
Yes, you right .
I tend to agree.@@vernonmoodaley7858
You and most of New Zealand feel the same brother
💯
Christian Cullen is one of my favourite All Blacks of all time. I was gutted that he got dropped from the ABs. What hurt the most was that he still had one more World Cup left in him. I remember in the 2003 World Cup seeing the ABs lacking attacking fire power and thinking "this is why we needed Cullen!"
I agree with much of everything you say,I at least know of two moments in our history when our head coaches made disastrous selections concerning players non selection,Wayne Shelford and Christian Cullen.Whats more even though their achievements would live long in the memory of rugby fans Buck and Cully still command mentions as greats in their positions.How the Aussies must have jumped for joy the 2003 World Cup, would U have scored Stirling Matlock?
Shelford was replaced by Zinzan Brooke, Cullen by Mils Muliaina, so it’s hard to say those were disastrous selections. As much as we love great players, careers do come to an end - Cully barely played a game in 2004 due to injuries.
100%!
@@kaybee6211 Mils was always reliable
I think it was about rebuilding and the aussie's happened have two exceptional players in Ealls and a couple of harden forwards who matched the all black forwards and Mitchell who wasn't experienced enough to work out how to counter
NZs greatest fullback. It was a privilege to watch him play.
I still remember him sidestepping the whole Fijian sevens team in his own in goal, then run the length of the field to score.
Thanks cullen for giving me the love for the sport rugby. I cant remember the game u played but u come up short from the try line and when u placed the ball u bounced it off the ground for ur team mate to score. Thats one of my best moments watching u play. Genius way ahead of ur time.
Yea same here, such a joy to watch. I remember that one bounced it up for Wilson to score
The greatest fullback I have ever seen live.
Christian Cullen best 15th EVER! end of discussion.
John Mitchell was one of the worst things that ever happened to the All Black jersey.
..yep right up there with the incompetent Foster
I flew from Auckland to Wellington to watch Christian's last game because he was that good. The guy deserved better than he got, no one would say that about Mitchell
Sadly very true. Mitchel & his "journey" to nowhere
He was the guy you were happy to pay to watch play for sure!
...yep, I've been watching footy for 60 years. If I want to watch some fantastic rugby once in a while on YT I always head straight to a Christian Cullen highlights video. There's been a lot of very special players but he was something else altogether.
What an interview. Christian Cullen was truly an All Black great. How cool was he. Thanks for this What a lad podcast., You have a speak easy style to the interview which gives it old style class. I worked with his cousin Mervyn Cullen in Sydney years ago. Honourable rugby days.
He is the definition of cool, such an easy going, humble guy who could do incredible things. Thanks for the kind words too!
I'm an ex Sth. African 68 year old and he's by far the best and most exciting fullback I've ever seen.
Better, imo, than the great JPR Williams and Andre Joubert
Those two you mention were great players but I agree Christian Cullen was something else
Wow mate that’s bloody high regard. Kwagga Smith is one of my favourites!! But really there is to many great SA players to single one out.
All the best to you and yours.
From South African supporter - Cullen was the GOAT of fullbacks
That 2003 ABS World cup team would've been a lot different had Wayne Smith and Tony Gilbert stayed on board.
Cullen was leaps and bounds ahead of every other fullback, let alone 5th haha. Wilson probably would've been at the 03 WC too.
Awesome podcast man
Another shameful mark in the ledger of NZR mismanagement: Smith and Gilbert were never a match, Smith wanted Peter Sloane (Blues) as his 2nd, but the national union foisted Gilbert on him. They undermined the coaches and then blamed them for the team's underperformance. Then to cap it off, they dropped both and appointed Mitchell, whose only qualifications were a couple of years assisting Clive Woodward in England and a single year in charge of the Chiefs. He was completely out of his depth, a raging insecurity case with a life coach and a weakness for pop-psychology jargon, but he spoke fluent corporate BS so he was able to convince the board to hand him the keys. We know the rest.
@@blairmc7664 great points! Thanks mate 🙌
I remember Blair been injured and thinking surely Cully will get the call up neck minute Ben Atiga 😂😂😂
I for one was disappointed that Cully wasn’t in the ABs anymore. Couldn’t believe it.
Great interview mate... Totally enjoyed it !
Coaches bias can cause so much personal damage. Olivia Podmore a prime example . Tragic. Christian deserved a lot better…..
@@Annaspanner 💯
...yep, I always reckon that Mitchells limp-divk ego got in the way with Cullen. He was jealous and made him pay. Absolute disgrace of a human being. Can never be forgiven.
You shouldn't have been dropped. You were the best full back, I totally disagreed to Mitchells coaching. In my opinion you're the best full back weve ever had.
Christian - you were awesome and i had both the pleasure of watching you play and also working with your dad .... i live in the USA now and have been for 25 years but when i educate my american friends about rugby you are one odf the great players i talk about....... John Mitchel did you dirty mate
Nobody could understand why we didn’t see Cully anymore. You were the best number 15 in the world Cullen, hands down.
as a SAFFA he is the best 15 ever - by far
As a kiwi you guys have to many incredible players to single one out.
Naas Botha
Danie Gerber
Shalk Berger
Francois pienaar
Frik Du Preez
Bryan Habana
Os Du Rant
Siya kolisi
John Smit
Eben etzebeth
Honestly it goes on and on.
Express you were the best. Amazing balance and speed combined with incredible vision. Definitely one of the best ever. Thanks Cully
The Paekak Express... Best All Blacks full back... ever
Awesome player. Best AB fullback to date.
Thanks for some cracking memories Cully, always believed you chucked it in 2 seasons too early, you'll be remembered as one of our best mate, cheers, was there ever a Paekakariki Express?
@@dezman56ford there needs to be!
Paekakariki is a small township about an hr north of Wgtn. Was a railway junction on main line to Auckland, now not needed, is home of a couple of restored steam loco's. Cullen it's only express (hope you didn't know this already)
@@prof_kaos9341 Yep, Just wondered if Cullens nick name was baed on an actual locomotive named the Paekakariki Express.
@@whataladpodcast We're waiting for 'Son of Paekakariki Express'
It was hard to understand what John Mitchell was thinking when he dropped Cullen. Christian was the best fullback of all time.!!
It was hard to understand what Mitchell was talking about most of the time.......
Always exciting to watch...one of the world's best
A try I saw against the Sharks in Welly early in his career...was nothing less than magic ....speed ...movement ...audacity... unpredictability...never seem anything like it again.
Yea that was incredible! Soo many good tries!
@whataladpodcast big thanks from a Paremata boy to Christian for a great career and entertainment for us all.
Great interview.......great player
Thank you sir!
He doesnt get enough credit for his tackling ... hes saved a lot trys being scored to
I've never heard Cully talk like this before. He was awesome in this interview! Loved the player, his tries against the Scots and Wallabies were incredible to say the least. Now after this interview I love the man too. he is cool :-)
John Mitchell was the worst AB coach ever, most disrespectful coach ever! The way he use to take the piss out of Andy Martin, ex-SAS captain, an man who served his country, being made fun of, from that clown! He’s lucky Andy was a gentleman.
never knew much about Christian other than a great all black ,but he's such a cool guy ,great interview
Cool is a good way to describe him! Thanks mate
One of my favourite bits of this podcast was hearing Daryl Mitchell talk about when he found out haha
Classic!
If you were facing a team with Christian Cullen in it you’d be dropping your lunch. Facing John Mitchell… not so much. The injury story probably indicates the end of his test career wasn’t that far off. But anyone would take his legacy in those 50 tests at that crazy level over a diminishing series of coaching jobs. The best rugby player I’ve ever seen.
Wholesome interview especially the reality’s of professional players pathways after the game .
"It just stops" I'll always remember him saying that
Loved watching Cully. A Great Wellington man. Best 15 ever.
As a Wellingtonian, "the Paekak Express" was a star, that acceleration, swerve and speed from his gliding run was so great to watch and his leaving was a tragic loss.
Cully was always so fit and immensely strong in upper body for a small back, a good reader of the game, he could appear like magic, take the ball and be gone!
So it is a little sad that an All Black Great was wasn't treated as well as one might expect., surely it wasn't anything to do with provincial rivalries. Injuries took their toll obviously and the game obviously wasn't as professional back then, but you can see in this laconic frank interview that there is no bitterness, just accepting of realities and fate! Life can be cruel.
Still I'd always buy Cully a beer and thank him any day.
I remember vividly when it got annouced he wasn't in the RWC team. The news clip he had a hoodie over his head like he didn't want to be seen by the media. He gave the camera the middle finger. He was pissed like the rest of NZ. Basically everyone acknowledges Cullen as the greatest 15 ever in rugby. Mitchell got dumped and ended up at the usless Western Force and was pretty much a no body after that. To never get another international job after the ABs shows what his character must have been like.
unfortunate and sad bud, thats rugby politics for ya, new coach comes in, the man has his team already picked, if you aint in it, your career is over. forget about your razzle dazzle, side stepping skills, ur rep dont mean zip, if he dont want ya, ur out.
I remember Mitchell came into our Waikato Club Rugby Team for Ōtorohanga and his expertise was how to draw pass. I was excited to get a coach of that caliber to be massively disappointed with his "expertise". Even when we challenged him about his attacking "ideologies" he shut up shop and said it's his way or the highway lol
Mitchell's time at the Force was crazy, in the end the Force players called in lawyers & only communicated with Mitchell, their coach, thru the lawyers. True story
@@prof_kaos9341 Really!! I didn't know that. That's crazy!! No wonder he disappered.
💯👌🏾
Daryl Mitchell didn't speak to his dad for a few days for not picking Cullen
@@richardc5226 that was so good hearing that 😂
Cullen is so legendary my samoan friends used to say he was half samoan 😂
lol he is half Samoan 🙏
Not half he's qtr @@psalmzeik9588
Haha, that's gold.
Born 84
Grew up in the yard running as cully and Lomu. Loved it
Also loved Jeff Wilson
I’m a manawatu boy too
He was my favourite All Black. There was nothing he couldn't do and his speed was just outlandish. And as a Leinster fan, I would always watch the Munster games when he was playing😅 I think he contributed massively in changing the mindset in Ireland about standards of excellence. And professionalisation of the game. I'll never forget his last game at Munster, really emotional. He is still a local hero.
There's a reason why Mitchell continuously moves on from where he is coaching, must be 7 or 8 teams he's had and then left, and no one speaks fondly of him at any of those places. Control freak.
yep and I reckon he was jealous of Cullen. Cullen is a legend, Mitchell is not.
@@cspace1234nz Mitchell is a W⚓. Always will be. Let him coach with the English Roses. He'll click better with of those "were-ladies".
I miss watching this guy playing in the old style thick and oversized ABs jumper. He was my absolute favourite player growing up.
I loved watching Christian Cullen play! To me, and for a while, he was EASILY my favourite NZ player - and still in my ALL TIME TOP 5. I hated how he was shafted to allow Jeff Wilson in. My only happiness is that NONE of that generation picked up the Webb Ellis Trophy. Cullen, you were and will ALWAYS be my favourite 15!!!
Cully is a LEGEND
Loved Cully , really looked forward to games he was playing in …really disappointed when he was not there…shame the way it was done . Still remembered ❤️💚💯👍🏻🆒🥰💖
remember Cullen scoring those tries against Scotland? and asking, who is this kid? Glad to hear he invested his money wisely, so glad....
We had some terrific fullbacks. Cullen was one of the best.
@@roballen5720 💯
The best 15 by far, and as a bok supporter that is saying alot. It would look like he was jogging, like a trivial training run almost, whilst everyone else was sprinting to keep up. That Wellington side, with Cullen, Tana, Jerry, Lomu, etc were the most entertaining team to ever grace this sport we love. 😂, also don't forget they played their best footy when they were down to 13 men😂😂
Cully was the man - True legend f the game. The pace and reading the game made him a great. Gutted when Mitchell cam on the scene. Canes and Lions all day
Mitchell was a prck depriving us of the greatest runner with a rugby ball.
....you're being nice aren't you ?
Putting aside the John Mitchell criticisms but based off this interview it sounded like CC was physically breaking down. That All Blacks team especially the backline in the 03 world cup in particular the blues boys were all young and super fit. Spencer, Howlett, Rokocoko, Muliaina were all in form and the Blues killed it that year too so i kinda get why CC was on the outer.
Mitchell was the worst coach the All Blacks ever had but he didn't have to be difficult like that if he was a complete professional. And the worse thing about it all was he did not know he was a proper unprofessional peasant. I feel sorry for him especially after he started coaching overseas then rugby people discovered how low he really was.
Christian Cullen, you are still a legend! The only problem I have with you is that you didn’t come from Otematata!
You, Goldie, Merts, Josh Kronfield, Ritchie, Aron Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma Nonu, Ben Smith…..bla bla…
What a great interview with a Kiwi Great!
Cheers
Cobber
Cannot remember my countryman JPR playing, and he was a different style of fullback, Christian Cullen was the best fullback i have ever watched, just ghosted past people !.
You Cullen!!! You absolutely the BEST FB EVER UCE! J.Mitch was smoking the milky stuff back then!
His side step was legendary. Didnt lose a drop of pace while executing it. Him and Jonah just so exciting to watch.
What a great interview, Go well for your future Culley.
Forever on the list of rugby's top individual tries ever scored. Honoured worldwide.
👏🏻⚡🥃🇿🇦
I'm a full blooded Springbok supporter, but Cullen is my pick for all time world 15 in the modern era. He was a devastating runner with pace, timing, vision and masterful touches. This video is painful to watch, and is so typical of coaches that destroy teams by choosing favourites above skill at the cost of team moral.... And the end result is always the same. I salute the ABs they eat, sleep, breathe rugby just like us South Africans, hopefully there's a lesson here.
My recollection of that time is that, in a kind of tribute to Cullen, opposition teams were adapting. Though a fabulous runner he didn't have a great kick return. Opposition teams started more and more to use a tight chase line that stifled Cullens amazing open field running. He didn't know how to adjust and he was getting caught more often. The move to centre was a fail but it was an attempt to keep him in the game where his running game was being choked off. Is my recall anyway.
Cully signed my one year old sons shirt, he's now 26. Best fullback ever.
I love hearing Cully speak. For such a quiet guy he speaks really well 😊
No NZ player had me more nervous against the Boks, than Christian Cullen....cut defenses to pieces.
As an Irishman I would say when I saw mr Cullen play live many moons ago for the all blacks I’d have him level pegging with BoD. Can’t given him any higher praise than that, what a player 👏
It was such a great time as a kid growing up in Wellington watching the likes of Cully, Jonah, Tana etc for both the Canes and ABs. Didnt appreciate it at the time but i do now.
Im non coloured springbok supporter and i love cully , the best no 15 of all time.
Thanks for the memories Cully.
You were a Titan on the field.
It's very simple to me. Cullen is a legend among legends, Mitchell is not and could never be. Those were dark days for the All Blacks, probably on a par with the incompetent Foster. Both Waikato guys come to think of it. Interesting
I am 66 years of age now. I've followed the game for over 50 years. In my opinion, based on consistancy of Test match form , Christian Cullen was the finest full-back in the world during his time as an All Blacks player. Some people simply do not click. 'One man's meat might be another man's poison'. Mitchell will never be remembered as an All Blacks Test player. He will, however, be remembered for being sacked by the NZRU. Mitchell seems to thrive better in the English International female game..
Not even a fan of rugby, but Christian Cullen was electrifying to watch.
Muliaina was a solid 15 though, best in he world from 2004-2009. Mitchell did oick an odd centre pairing in the 2003 World Cup though (after Umaga's injury), especially when having an on-fire Daniel Carter on the bench who could have easily been the 12 and primary goalkicker.
Mitchell🤠 yep hated that guy for how he affected Christian's career, such a big loss was hoping to see him play for awhile longer 😞
It would've been nice to see a few more years at least out of him for sure
Cully WAS DA MAN Allways wanted to see cully switch to league he would ave carved it up i believe he was a league player playing rugby
@@Hayden-Gizzy-Nz Yea that would’ve been interesting!
I'm a South African to me he was One of a kind, sometimes good things in life only comes once in a lifetime
As a Bok fan, I must say something funny - I never noticed Christian for a while. The thing is, he played fullback while Jonah was on the wing and we were all fixated on Jonah, including the Boks. So while they lined up for the glory to tackle Jonah, Christian scored a shitload of tries against us. It was only when I started wondering how come we never won that I realised there was this genius in the back that was killing us...
What an injustice, has to be New Zealand Rugby's greatest crime allowing that to happen. In all my 80 years I've never seen a better fullback in any Jersey!
I always wondered. You didn't leave. You were nudged. I'll not speak ill of the man. Other than, he didn't have a brilliant All Black coaching career. You on the other hand, had a remarkable career. Regardless of injuries and setbacks. You champed it out brother. We can only imagine how many seemingly effortless tries we could have seen you run in if not for that coaching change. And from what I see in this interview. A humble bloke that wears his greatness with grace. Not once did you chuck a barb at any one. Ups to you brother. Chur 🤙🏼
Mitchell made to judgments of error dropping Cullen & thinking he was an international coach, was so happy to see JM get booted into touch.
Cullen, Jonah, Rupeni. My 🐐 back three.
@@Pafuki25 that is some back 3🔥
I agree!!🔥 Beast back 3
Campese. There is a reason he scored over 60 test tries and no AB's player has hit 50.
If this guy played today he would be a superstar
I remember it well at the time , I didn’t have a problem so much with mils getting selected ahead of him in the starting 15 , mils was an exciting young talent , in form and cully was showing signs of slowing down a bit ,
But Ben Blair and then Ben atiga being selected ahead of him was so wrong . Cullen would have been a valuable squad member even if not starting.
I m a Basque man ( I bleed the colour of the blood ) . We all shade of wheat by the way.. CC the best full back ever to do it period.
CC was 27 in 2003, 27 nowadays is still a force to be reckoned with = especially with Cullen.
Mitchell was one of the most forgettable All Black coaches. Noone remembers anything he achieved in rugby but everyone still remembers Christian Cullen. I was there at the ground when he received a standing ovation in his final game in NZ. Could sense there was a reluctance and sadness when acknowledging the crowd that day. Now I know why.
Cullie GOAT. Some of the things he did on the field you will never see again. Best fullback I’ve ever seen. When ever he received the ball you never knew what would happen but it would be good. Mitchell and Deans, still on a journey and are remembered for the wrongful Cullen sacking. As for the BS Mitchell speak, made him sound demented. Out of his depth, NZRU blunder yet again.
yeah but mitchell did'nt last long,he used to say these wierd things