12/03/24
May 12, 2007
Cullen announces his retirement: All-Blacks' legend Christian Cullen has announced his retirement with immediate effect. A record breaking international player he had been playing with Munster for the past few years, but has been plagued by injury and a little controversy. Despite the injuries, other teams have shown an interest, but Cullen (YouTube) has decided to head home and retire. Hopefully to enjoy it as much as his namesake
31 isn't over the hill, but for a full back who depends on speed it is about usual I think. The main issue is probably injuries, Cullen hasn't played a full season since moving to Munster, and then there is the tax issue. Under Irish tax law if he retires in Ireland then he gets a tax break, if he goes on to play somewhere else he won't qualify. As for comparing him, well he was a try-scoring machine:
That will draw the curtain on the career of perhaps the greatest try-scoring machine in rugby. For the All Blacks he scored a record 46 tries in 58 tests and he is third on the list of tries scored in Super rugby with 56 from 85 games, behind Doug Howlett and Joe Roff. His tries-per-game ratio for the All Blacks - a try every 1.21 tests - is unmatched, although Joe Rokocoko (sitting on 35 from 39) will almost certainly challenge it source.But he was unlucky in World Cup selection, never playing in position there. One of the all-time great New Zealand players, and seeing as the All Blacks are the greatest rugby team, he is one of the all time greats. And as for comparing him, well I've seen him named as "jesus in rugby boots". So whomever you would see as "jesus in your-favourite-sports-footwear" ;)
posted by Fence at 11:09 AM on May 12, 2007
"Jesus in rugby boots" -- fantastic. Thanks again for the info.
posted by holden at 06:04 PM on May 12, 2007
There was quite a well performed horse going around the Sydney racetracks named Christian Cullen. It's not a bad career when the horse named after you retires well before you do.
posted by owlhouse at 01:03 AM on May 15, 2007
It's obvious I didn't click on that last link before commenting. Sorry, Fence.
posted by owlhouse at 11:17 AM on May 15, 2007
Thanks for all the info, Fence. For those of us who don't really follow rugby, I have a couple of questions. First, is 31 considered over the hill in rugby or would this be considered an early retirement? Second, with respect to Cullen specifically, who would you compare him to in the world of sport in terms of his stature in his particular sport? (Doesn't have to be a US sport -- maybe football/soccer?)