I grew up and went to school with Christian(Kinney) In Paekakariki. We called him that nickname back then. His Dad was our rugby coach Knew his family well. He had another friend and schoolmate named Darryl Cherry sadly he died very young and if you ask Christian how good his friend Darryl was he will say he was a freak I seriously think he could have made the All Blacks. Congratulations Christian’s on your lifetime achievements proud of you mate enjoyed watching you in you playing years and the joy and excitement you brought us and the rugby world. Look after yourself Your childhood friend Shane Hopkins.
I’m Irish and grew up watching super rugby and the try nations. Best back 3 ever was Lomu, Wilson and Cullen. They were so exiting to watch especially Christian he was amazing.
Cullen and Lomu. Not sure about Wilson. He was quick but would get tangled up easy and lose the ball a lot. Hit and miss. Cullen and Lomu. Two of the greats
Christian Cullen needs a permanent position on the podcast... he has the old-school swag of the past generation most of us have felt fading... humble request from a late 90s kiwi fan
Yeah hard, I thought it was just because Im from here and that age that today related so well but you're right the ol' school swag, he could say anything and we'd be all ears, but he doesn't, he just talks sense. Imo this one will take some beating, thanks guys, top show.
@@weekendwarrior405 Merht’s is one the most hard case smart a$$ fullahs I’ve ever heard He’s good value for a laugh. Him and Gregan going back and forth is hilarious
I grew up idolizing Cullen. For his size, I always thought he was even more impressive than Lomu back in the day. I’ll never forget how John Mitchell treated him back in ’02/’03.
Amazing guest gents. My childhood hero…. To this day his running lines are extraordinary. I don’t think there is any fullback since Cully that can do what he did on the field…. True legend. From a South African
What a breath of fresh air, listening to Christian Cullen. And don't you just love that old school way....we played heads up rugby, we played what was in front of us!! The game is suffeing from paralysis by analysis. We need more guys like Culley to be in and around the game, to help out where ever possible.
"paralysis by analysis" meaningless cliche. The game is the best it's ever been. All that has happened is the rest of the world has improved their IP and closed the gap.
@@tewaewae with respect, if you think that the game is the best it's ever been.....then I suspect you haven't been in or around the game much, leave alone played it!
Danie Gerber comes to mind, best center I have ever seen. Gerber, Caucau and Cullen are in a class of their own when it comes to beautiful running without breaking a stride. Nothing between them. Honorable mention for Carel du Plessis, who I didn't get to see play live but did meet.
There was one he mentioned himself, Carlos Spencer, but another I saw for the AB's cut through the whole Argentinian team in a World Cup was Steven Pokere, amazing change of direction. Memories I'm remembering Bernie's Corner.
As a South African fan who was too young to watch him, he's one of my favorite rugby players ever😂😂and this is just based off highlight reels. I can't imagine what it must've been like seeing him live.
A core childhood memmory for me is taking the ferry up to Wellington with the old man to see Jonah and Cullen play. Got to meet them after the game. I remember I was buzzing for weeks. Absoloute legends.
I remeber being over the corner in the rose stand at carisbrook watching jonah in full flight with a man fully planted and ready to take him low. 2 paces outhe shrunk himself into a 5ft ball and skittled the poor bugger... the scottsman was in the air for along time and for a moment I feared he might end up in my lap... just incredible that he could do that and maintain balance and pace !...Great interview guys....Let Cully know I live right by the ground in Paekak now and always bring a rugby ball to chuck about during the football matches lest they forget the game they played in Heaven!
All time favourite player. I watched him play club rugby and also Manawatu in 95/96. Everyone saw what he did to International competition so to say he was carving them up at other levels is an understatement.
Great interview. In our household we were massive Cully fans. What a fantastic player, and always so much fun to hear the stories about the great 96 AB team and the legend that is Jonah Lomu.
10:42 I was taken aback to hear Sri Lanka's name there lol What an honour for us to say that the great Christian Cullen's first 7s game was against Sri Lanka
One of my favourite players of all time, and I played against him! I played against him and his brother Shane when they were kids at Paekakariki, and played him again when he was in the First XV at Kāpiti College. His brother Shane was the star player when we were kids.
Thanks Christian. I know you don't like being the center of attention so thanks for coming on the show. You are my favourite rugby player of all time. Thanks for all the excitement and fond memories.
I brought his auto biography and that was the best read...when John Mitchell moved him from fullback to centre to accomadate for Jeff Wilson is beyond me...mad love the pod lads Also Cully's stories on Jonah is legendery... Grew up with John Eales Totai Kefu Matt Burke breaking Kiwi hearts.....love and respect to the game always
Really enjoying this format of podcast, listening to the stories as they relate to games I remember watching. Cully, what an absolute AB great, love the way Marshy and Jeremy interact with the guests and bring in their own stuff. Andy, you're doing a great job the way you set up the stories with your questioning mate.
You Rock Christian. When ever I need some inspiration I turn to one of 2 things, your highlights or the commonwealth games womans 7's final (NZ v Aus). If anyone ever asks about rugby, I always refer them to your highlights too. I'm a big fat prop, so it always blows my mind. I got to play rugby in the First XV with a young fella named Kelly Shelford - his ability to step people was wonderous to watch. Flick him the ball and let him go :)
Great interview. Cully is still my all-time favourite full back that I've seen play the game. It was heartbreaking as a Hurricanes and ABs supporter when he left in 2003.
I remember in the 2000s when I'd pick my kids up at Rangikura School in Porirua and driving down Whitford Brown and beep at the Hurricanes team running up and down the drive.....awesome team back then.
I lived in Malawi 96 and I bet all my SA brothers that the ABs would Win that first post apartheid tour Cullen made sure of that ! I owe him a beer. So good to watch.
1997 watching the AB’s v ENG at the Sports Cafe at Piccadilly Circus and the AB’s turned up post match after the drawing with ENG. Following day AB’s turned up at the Church and Marshall dominated the boat race on stage. Absolute fish. Cracking good weekend that one…
Cully, still my fav fullback of all time. Watching him carve up the field with such speed and grace, making it look easy, hasnt been replicated to this day.
To this day no full back has come close to the attacking threat Christian Cullen was. The time from 1996-2000 he was almost untouchable, with the ability to sprint at full pace and step off both feet and so strong as well. Truly a legend of the game.
Had to have a giggle when he mentioned Horowhenua moving up to Div 2, then back down to Div 3 a year later lol. We had the same thing happen to us in the Horowhenua U16 lol. Carlos and them had won the lower north island U16 tournament the year before with a strong 'Nua side. Unfortunately our side the following year, not so much, except Kinny bwahahahahaha. Good times though. Up the Nua!
Brilliant. Jonah was obviously an absolute legend but Cully when he used to arrive on shoulders after a break or glide thru a gap was poetry. Such a good humble bloke. As a Wellingtonian I am so proud of him.
Nothing like a beer and talking rugby. Cullen was a well-tuned Ferrari with no brakes. Made some never-to-be-forgotten runs from fullback that are very rarely seen today. Actually haven't seen any! Thanks for the good memories.
Fantastic listening to these ANZAC BROs talking about their Rugby days! What a great Bloke Christian Cullen is, cracked me up when he was telling Eric Rush stories!!
As a SAFFA he is my all time favorite AB player...which is saying something. I remember him scoring against my Sharks team and not even being mad. What a legend!
Loved watching Cullen run effortless great runner reminds me of watching kirwan just pure excitement when they get the ball in hand and the big man lomu ❤
Great episode. Thought Marshall’s point about Cully (and J Robinson and S Williams) having that rare ability to beat defenders without slowing down was spot on. Scary thing is there are at least four current Springbok backs that do this - Kolbe, Arendse, Libbok and Moodie. Cully the only one to look like he’s running out of his shirt tho. 🐐
If someone made running smooth, effortless and cool, it was Christian Cullen. I remember checking the next Allblacks game just to watch how he glides through the field and carved up the opposition. Thanks for the memories legend! All the way from PNG🇵🇬
This show is so brilliant. But why do you cut it off so abruptly every time when the conversation is soo good. I'd 100% pay for a Patreon if you set it up.
Great to listen to Culley. Can't believe you didn't discuss the dark days of Mitchell & Deans and his perspective of the '03 World Cup. WTF were they thinking leaving him at home.
This guy Christian Cullen is the greatest player to ever run out onto a rugby field. His skill, speed, awareness, finesse is unmatched even now. What a legend. The GOAT for sure
The Little Orange - "Naartjie's" in African speak, In other parts of the world know as a 'satsuma' for some others a mandarin. A fair bit lighter and softer than oranges, no risk of injury.
Cullen could shift gears like nobody else. It didn’t even look like he was running, more like gliding and smoothly changing pace and direction. So hard to tackle a guy like that. Just when you thought he was going full tilt, he’d put the afterburners on and flash, he was gone. Astounding to watch.
What was your favourite Christian Cullen moment? 🤔🏉
Can't say, but I'm a Saffa and my childhood hero was Christian Cullen 😅legend
Carisbrook 97
How long is a piece of string , IMO the best 15 to have ever played the Game
Try against the Tahs in '96. Simply sublime. Loved watching this guy.
@@MrPhumo That might just be our favourite Christian Cullen moment at GBR HQ as well! 👊🙌
I am a South African, and you have a true legend on your platform today. Thank you.
Absolutely agree Chrtistian Cullen was one of my standout AB heroes growing up as a kid in SA. He ran rings around everyone and scored amazing tries.
Man Everywhere I look there is so much respect between South Africa and New Zealand, makes me giddle everytime.
Cheers mate, you guys are creating some new legends right now.
A true legend 👊
I'm a kiwi and you deserve 50 likes and more 👌🏽
I grew up and went to school with Christian(Kinney)
In Paekakariki.
We called him that nickname back then.
His Dad was our rugby coach
Knew his family well.
He had another friend and schoolmate named Darryl
Cherry sadly he died very young and if you ask Christian how good his friend Darryl was he will say he was a freak I seriously think he could have made the All Blacks.
Congratulations Christian’s on your lifetime achievements proud of you mate enjoyed watching you in you playing years and the joy and excitement you brought us and the rugby world.
Look after yourself
Your childhood friend
Shane Hopkins.
suuuure lol fucking liar.
I’m Irish and grew up watching super rugby and the try nations. Best back 3 ever was Lomu, Wilson and Cullen. They were so exiting to watch especially Christian he was amazing.
Absolutely agree. Lethal weapons.
Cullen and Lomu. Not sure about Wilson. He was quick but would get tangled up easy and lose the ball a lot. Hit and miss.
Cullen and Lomu. Two of the greats
Christian Cullen needs a permanent position on the podcast... he has the old-school swag of the past generation most of us have felt fading... humble request from a late 90s kiwi fan
💯
Yeah hard, I thought it was just because Im from here and that age that today related so well but you're right the ol' school swag, he could say anything and we'd be all ears, but he doesn't, he just talks sense. Imo this one will take some beating, thanks guys, top show.
How good! 🐐
Kia Ora from Germany! I even named my son Cullen! looking forward to this!
Cullen grace
A chicken called Christian Cullen 🐓
A Horse called Christian Cullen 🐎
A car called Christian Cullen 🚗
And now... 🇩🇪
@@GoodBadRugby surely merhts isn't far off being a guest...
@@weekendwarrior405 it would have to be after Cully for sure
@@weekendwarrior405
Merht’s is one the most hard case smart a$$ fullahs I’ve ever heard
He’s good value for a laugh.
Him and Gregan going back and forth is hilarious
I grew up idolizing Cullen. For his size, I always thought he was even more impressive than Lomu back in the day. I’ll never forget how John Mitchell treated him back in ’02/’03.
Darryl Mitchell apparently was fifty at John back then too, didn't talk to him for a while lol
Has beens trying to stay relevant
Amazing guest gents. My childhood hero…. To this day his running lines are extraordinary. I don’t think there is any fullback since Cully that can do what he did on the field…. True legend. From a South African
What a breath of fresh air, listening to Christian Cullen. And don't you just love that old school way....we played heads up rugby, we played what was in front of us!!
The game is suffeing from paralysis by analysis. We need more guys like Culley to be in and around the game, to help out where ever possible.
"paralysis by analysis" meaningless cliche. The game is the best it's ever been. All that has happened is the rest of the world has improved their IP and closed the gap.
@@tewaewae with respect, if you think that the game is the best it's ever been.....then I suspect you haven't been in or around the game much, leave alone played it!
@@johnhutchins2989 1990s All Black rugby doesn't work in this century (how fucking old are you?). shove your fake respect
Never seen a player that ran lines and changed direction at top speed like Cullen, unbelievable
'Like a a hot knife through butter' comes to mind
Caucau
Danie Gerber comes to mind, best center I have ever seen. Gerber, Caucau and Cullen are in a class of their own when it comes to beautiful running without breaking a stride. Nothing between them. Honorable mention for Carel du Plessis, who I didn't get to see play live but did meet.
Faaark man, what a player and gentlemen! Cully and Inglis for me.
There was one he mentioned himself, Carlos Spencer, but another I saw for the AB's cut through the whole Argentinian team in a World Cup was Steven Pokere, amazing change of direction. Memories I'm remembering Bernie's Corner.
Possibly the greatest ball in hand running back of all time ? No one cut it up like him.
Best I’ve ever seen. Demon on defence too
Absolute weapon
Him and Inglis.
My favorite AB. From a south african supporter
As a South African fan who was too young to watch him, he's one of my favorite rugby players ever😂😂and this is just based off highlight reels. I can't imagine what it must've been like seeing him live.
he was an epic 15. sensational live
Should of seen him play 7’s
When he was in the team I always believed we could win the game no matter the situation right up until the whistle was blown
Cullen and Lomu absolutely changed the way rugby is played. Such a magnificent player .
Would’ve loved to have heard more about Cully’s Samoan and Maori heritage. Not forgetting he played for the Maori ABs too
A core childhood memmory for me is taking the ferry up to Wellington with the old man to see Jonah and Cullen play. Got to meet them after the game. I remember I was buzzing for weeks. Absoloute legends.
The back 3 of early 2000s era for the Canes and ABs was epic. Lomu, Cullen, and Umaga👌
I loved Goldie aswell except he just wasn't a Hurricane
I remeber being over the corner in the rose stand at carisbrook watching jonah in full flight with a man fully planted and ready to take him low. 2 paces outhe shrunk himself into a 5ft ball and skittled the poor bugger... the scottsman was in the air for along time and for a moment I feared he might end up in my lap... just incredible that he could do that and maintain balance and pace !...Great interview guys....Let Cully know I live right by the ground in Paekak now and always bring a rugby ball to chuck about during the football matches lest they forget the game they played in Heaven!
Cullen, best fullback ever, easily. (saffa)
👊
Blanco was pretty good too.
Greetings from Wales. Every time I pick an all time XV, Cullen is my fullback. He was sublime.
All time favourite player. I watched him play club rugby and also Manawatu in 95/96. Everyone saw what he did to International competition so to say he was carving them up at other levels is an understatement.
Fantastic episode. Really enjoying the podcast. Always wanted to hear from Christian Cullen.
Christian Cullen = 🐐 Fullback. His highlight reel is as good as ANYONE in rugby history it’s ridiculous what this man did on a rugby field.
Ditto
Followed closely by Ben Smith IMO
Great interview. In our household we were massive Cully fans. What a fantastic player, and always so much fun to hear the stories about the great 96 AB team and the legend that is Jonah Lomu.
Still the greatest attacking player I have ever seen in my near 50 years on this earth what an absolute weapon Culley was true All Blacks great.
10:42 I was taken aback to hear Sri Lanka's name there lol What an honour for us to say that the great Christian Cullen's first 7s game was against Sri Lanka
As a South African growing up my legends werr Sid Going (scrumhalf) and Brian Williams (wing) and Billy Bush, Andy Leslie. Legends
I love this new podcast. Cully is such a legend. My Dad still has a Paikakariki Express t-shirt.
Cullen was the best player I ever saw when I was young man !
Watched this programme twice and loved it both times. The Chiefs 1, Chiefs 2 and Jonah story was so bloody funny!
The greatest.
Pure box office to see live.
Marshy did Kelleher dirty 😂. Great episode lads. Cully is the🐐. Need a part 2.
Awesome podcast one of my favorite players, truly an immortal AB. ❤❤❤
🙌
bloody great episode this one lads!
🙌
Best back 3 combo of all time i reckon. Wilson, Lomu and Cullen 🤯😍
This is a great poddy!!
🙌
Justins point about changing direction at speed plus that handoff is exactly the reason Cullen is still my favourite of all time 15.
One of my favourite players of all time, and I played against him! I played against him and his brother Shane when they were kids at Paekakariki, and played him again when he was in the First XV at Kāpiti College. His brother Shane was the star player when we were kids.
I met Cully one day and was surprised how small he actually is. Small body, big balls
Those little oranges are called naartjies. One of the greats. Christian Cullen!
😂 that story about the little oranges was so good
😂
Thanks Christian.
I know you don't like being the center of attention so thanks for coming on the show.
You are my favourite rugby player of all time.
Thanks for all the excitement and fond memories.
Greatest All Black fullback ever
His highlight reel is the greatest. Unfortunately so good that he never gets acknowledged for his explosive defensive plays.
I brought his auto biography and that was the best read...when John Mitchell moved him from fullback to centre to accomadate for Jeff Wilson is beyond me...mad love the pod lads
Also Cully's stories on Jonah is legendery...
Grew up with John Eales Totai Kefu Matt Burke breaking Kiwi hearts.....love and respect to the game always
Growing up Cullen & Jonah were the guys! Running around stepping yelling "Cullen! 😆 Good on ya Legends 🤝😎
Really enjoying this format of podcast, listening to the stories as they relate to games I remember watching. Cully, what an absolute AB great, love the way Marshy and Jeremy interact with the guests and bring in their own stuff. Andy, you're doing a great job the way you set up the stories with your questioning mate.
You Rock Christian. When ever I need some inspiration I turn to one of 2 things, your highlights or the commonwealth games womans 7's final (NZ v Aus). If anyone ever asks about rugby, I always refer them to your highlights too. I'm a big fat prop, so it always blows my mind. I got to play rugby in the First XV with a young fella named Kelly Shelford - his ability to step people was wonderous to watch. Flick him the ball and let him go :)
Brothers this was awesome 👍🏽
🙌
That was outstanding
🙌
Great interview. Cully is still my all-time favourite full back that I've seen play the game. It was heartbreaking as a Hurricanes and ABs supporter when he left in 2003.
Horowhenua playing Transval - oh for those days again.
Yes! I wish they would overhaul things and breathe some life back into our rugby.
Cully's mind is as switched on as his game play. That combination can be bloody awesome. Great craic. God bless you 🏴☠☘
I remember in the 2000s when I'd pick my kids up at Rangikura School in Porirua and driving down Whitford Brown and beep at the Hurricanes team running up and down the drive.....awesome team back then.
This man had rubber ankles, there's no other explanation. Legend.
I lived in Malawi 96 and I bet all my SA brothers that the ABs would Win that first post apartheid tour Cullen made sure of that ! I owe him a beer. So good to watch.
Cully knows deep down that he was the last of the old generation. Put up and shut up until you've earnt the respect.
I absolutely agree, you can talk about it when you've done it !
What a great chat from a very down to earth Legend.
My new fave Podcast. Love it! Thank you gentlemen
1997 watching the AB’s v ENG at the Sports Cafe at Piccadilly Circus and the AB’s turned up post match after the drawing with ENG. Following day AB’s turned up at the Church and Marshall dominated the boat race on stage. Absolute fish. Cracking good weekend that one…
Cully, still my fav fullback of all time. Watching him carve up the field with such speed and grace, making it look easy, hasnt been replicated to this day.
To this day no full back has come close to the attacking threat Christian Cullen was. The time from 1996-2000 he was almost untouchable, with the ability to sprint at full pace and step off both feet and so strong as well. Truly a legend of the game.
Had to have a giggle when he mentioned Horowhenua moving up to Div 2, then back down to Div 3 a year later lol. We had the same thing happen to us in the Horowhenua U16 lol. Carlos and them had won the lower north island U16 tournament the year before with a strong 'Nua side. Unfortunately our side the following year, not so much, except Kinny bwahahahahaha. Good times though. Up the Nua!
Respect
Even though he had an unlucky time at Munster I still remember him being a legend and influential
Before his knee injury he was amazing. Unfortunately that kind of did him in and he was never the same.
Brilliant. Jonah was obviously an absolute legend but Cully when he used to arrive on shoulders after a break or glide thru a gap was poetry. Such a good humble bloke. As a Wellingtonian I am so proud of him.
Nothing like a beer and talking rugby. Cullen was a well-tuned Ferrari with no brakes. Made some never-to-be-forgotten runs from fullback that are very rarely seen today. Actually haven't seen any! Thanks for the good memories.
Fantastic listening to these ANZAC BROs talking about their Rugby days! What a great Bloke Christian Cullen is, cracked me up when he was telling Eric Rush stories!!
As a SAFFA he is my all time favorite AB player...which is saying something. I remember him scoring against my Sharks team and not even being mad. What a legend!
Great show. Thanks
The Paekakariki Express. Glide to us, phenomenal! Bravo Cully
Hands down Cully was a better player than Robinson and Williams. Cully had gears of speed he could drop at will
Loved watching Cullen run effortless great runner reminds me of watching kirwan just pure excitement when they get the ball in hand and the big man lomu ❤
Part 2 surely, what a Lad CC 🔥🫡 goated
Hope there is going to be a part 2.
Christian Cullen is GOAT of Fullbacks what a player
The greatest All Black alive today on your podcast. Thank you.
Great podcast!
🙌
Great episode. Thought Marshall’s point about Cully (and J Robinson and S Williams) having that rare ability to beat defenders without slowing down was spot on. Scary thing is there are at least four current Springbok backs that do this - Kolbe, Arendse, Libbok and Moodie. Cully the only one to look like he’s running out of his shirt tho. 🐐
CC world class for sure, I think we'll still be talking about Cheslin Kolbe in 30 years too
Best I've ever seen. I'd love to run into him and tell him one day
If someone made running smooth, effortless and cool, it was Christian Cullen. I remember checking the next Allblacks game just to watch how he glides through the field and carved up the opposition. Thanks for the memories legend! All the way from PNG🇵🇬
My hero growing up, the goat of fullbacks. Much respect from a Saffa
Mate im South Africa BOKKE supporter but man i loved watching Christian Cullen he was a amazing player.
Awesome fireside. Cheers
Marshy seems a bit star struck with Cully
This show is so brilliant. But why do you cut it off so abruptly every time when the conversation is soo good. I'd 100% pay for a Patreon if you set it up.
This would have to be one of the best lets sit down and just talk some rugby I have listened to.
Great to listen to Culley. Can't believe you didn't discuss the dark days of Mitchell & Deans and his perspective of the '03 World Cup. WTF were they thinking leaving him at home.
Excellent show... Culley the GOAT
This guy Christian Cullen is the greatest player to ever run out onto a rugby field. His skill, speed, awareness, finesse is unmatched even now. What a legend. The GOAT for sure
Cullen, the best full back I have seen - by some way.
Cullen in full flight was amazing, true legend.
What a great player, acknowledged by all, not only New Zealanders.
Awesome poddy
🙌
Zinzan Brooke - beyond nostalgia - is surely one of the best names in the human story. great player too.
The Little Orange - "Naartjie's" in African speak, In other parts of the world know as a 'satsuma' for some others a mandarin. A fair bit lighter and softer than oranges, no risk of injury.
Loved seeing Cully play, the GOAT fullback. loved this podcast but feel it hasn't even scratched the surface of Christian Cullen.
THis was Awesome
👊
I played Full back most of my career, the reason was that Legend sitting right there... Picked up a rugby mag in 96 and the rest is history....
Christian Cullen was unbelievable . His domination as a hurricane was incredible and continued to the all blacks . Legend of note .
Cullen could shift gears like nobody else. It didn’t even look like he was running, more like gliding and smoothly changing pace and direction. So hard to tackle a guy like that. Just when you thought he was going full tilt, he’d put the afterburners on and flash, he was gone. Astounding to watch.