Christian Cullen - John Matheson

This is the biography of one of New Zealand's greatest rugby players. Christian Cullen, aka the "Paekakariki Express" first assumed superstar status when he exploded onto the international rugby scene at the 1996 Hong Kong sevens. A remarkable performance at the sevens showcase that year almost single-handedly steered New Zealand to victory. His points tally of 136, including an 18-try haul, demolished two tournament records. Cullen's performance in Hong Kong was the springboard for a stellar career in the fifteens version of the game.;Rushed into the All Blacks at the start of the '96 international season, the 20-year-old rewarded the selectors' faith in him by scoring seven tries in his first two outings. Since that time he has gone on to play 51 tests for New Zealand - all in succession - and scored 42 tries. At just 26, he is New Zealand's most capped fullback and second highest tryscorer in test rugby behind legendary winger Jeff Wilson. Wilson, in fact once said of the great fullback, "Cullen is the most talented footballer I've played with. He's got ability that people haven't yet seen and I've seen him do things that no one else is capable of doing... I've no doubt that with Cullen around, my test-scoring record will be short-lived".;An intensely private person who has always shunned media attention, Cullen speaks honestly in his biography about life in the professional rugby arena and those special talents which have elevated him to the top of the international rugby tree.