Christian Cullen’s BEST Jonah Lomu Stories, Beef with John Mitchell & Finding Purpose After Rugby

Christian Cullen is one of the greatest rugby players of all time. In the world.
In his All Black career from 1997 to 2003 he smashed records and made an impact that is unlikely to ever be repeated.
He really doesn't like talking about himself so I'm so grateful he agreed to do it (I've been pesting him to do it for over two years now LOL)
In this conversation we chat about a bunch of stuff including
His All Black debut. And the intimidation of being a newbie in a star-studded team.
The controversy of being played at Centre for the 1999 RWC
His relationship with John Mitchell, the coach who ended his All Black career.
His bittersweet last game in NZ which saw him get a standing ovation at Wellingtons cake tin.
His life post rugby, his time on Celebrity Treasure Island and much much more.
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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors.

[@thetalentedmrfitz]

The greatest fullback of all time. Not just for the All Blacks but the world. *THE GOAT* 1️⃣5️⃣

[@citroes1000]

I am a die hard Springbok supporter, but this guy was by far FAR, my favourite player ever.

[@davideveratt5473]

Totally with you.

[@Iam0.]

Agree

[@rickymarino1208]

You see talent from a human that does it easy, even.kiwis don't know either ...lol

[@martinomichael4967]

​@rickymarino1208 try a version of English that can be understood bro, your comment was a little cryptic?

[@tonybjjlife68]

All time best 15 ever. Very humble and modest man. Use to love watching him.

[@kidd2hoi524]

Second Pod with Cullen this year and I'm here for it

[@domharveynz]

And he has another one in the pipeline with Jimmy Marshall on the awesome "What a lad" podcast. Never too much CCC (Christian Cullen Content) haha

[@kidd2hoi524]

​@@domharveynzwhatalad is my favourite Pod. Looking forward to this. Thank you for sharing someone who made many kids Dream big.

[@andyandsuzy]

Hell yeah , i am in . Bring it on

[@davidhewitt126]

Played the final and "got a few claps" 😂 was 100% a standing ovation from a packed caketin. Cully is the greatest fullback to grace the game

[@MrToobib]

I am a die hard French supporter (come on Dupont !) but I must admit Christian Cullen has always been my favorite player !! Best 15 ever (better than Blanco !!) Respect and love from Paris, France !!🤩🤩🤩

[@garyhost7067]

Here's my top 5 1 - C Cullen 2 - G Hastings 3 - S Blanco 4 - I Dagg/D Clarke 5 - P Hewat The MOST underrated australian fullback ever. I'd rate him better than Chris Latham. I reckon he never really got his chance to shine.

[@gilvreymohi8742]

lol Serge Blanco was one of my favourite players of all time

[@rossmcintyre1328]

@@gilvreymohi8742 Kiwi here. Yeah I liked Serge Blanco also....He was the only player to retain his position and see all others replaced during his career playing for France plus he was a heavy smoker so he did really well during his era.

[@TK-fv5jv]

Literally just was saying to someone today that I used to love watching Christian Cullen back in the day, wow

[@markwillies7666]

Can't say that as a South African but unfortunately he was damn good.

[@TamaandRoxy]

The best running full back of all time. An absolute freak of nature, there hasn't been anyone close to his calibre since and I doubt there ever will be, just like Jonah. Different players but came through at the same time, phenomial athletes. Legend.

[@danielhenson9280]

Will Jordan

[@ianrobinson4200]

One of the greatest players of my lifetime, it hurts seeing that his All Black career only spanned 6 years - it should have been a lot longer, but grateful for what we got

[@joengatoro500]

Jeez this guy, greatest Fullback in history and bugger me, he's as humble as he was great!! Awesome Cully, the goat of Fullbacks👍👍👍

[@petone2009]

Not just the greatest AB fullback but best international fullback to this day.

[@andyhunter5869]

Even better than Ben Atiga? Was John Mitchell wrong?

[@petone2009]

@andyhunter5869 Ben Atiga? Yes better than Atiga. You kidding right?

[@andyhunter5869]

@@petone2009 yes I am :P

[@petone2009]

@@andyhunter5869 🤣

[@jordanleota9923]

@@andyhunter5869broooo cully in his prime would run rings around atiga 😂

[@samsonmorrell]

So awesome. Thanks Dom. Cheers Cully. He's non selection was the biggest injustice after Buck.

[@Aka_Luthy]

I hated john mitchell with a passion for what he done ,cully is too humble his rugby resume is no joke, he is in my eyes the greatest fullback to ever grace the rugby field Great podcast well done 👏

[@DjAnts]

One of the 🐐’s

[@shanejfm]

Christian is so forthright and honest. You just can't help but love the guy! This was highly evident in Celeb Treasure Island too. Maybe NZs "father of the nation" 🙂

[@magnumpi8097]

One of the best full backs back in the days. His solo try against the Wallabies was one of the many brilliant tries he got. And who could forget his try from within the NZ in goal to step his way out and score one of the prolific tries in rugby Seven's history.

[@brucetucker4365]

John Mitchell was a total dick as the AB coach. Zero people skills and should have been called the Riddler. I was at Christian's last game at the Stadium vs Auckland a d the "few claps" Culley refered to were 30000 plus spectators on their feet Plus the entire Auckland team!! I will never forget seeing that!!

[@rendigica1566]

I remember collecting weet bix cards in '07 (at 6yrs old) and got Christian Cullen as a legend card, it was bloody gold coloured, showed my pops and he told me "he's the greatest fullback ever", I thought he was some mythical legend and turns out, he is. Can't believe he got dropped and how young he was. Never got the privilege of watching this guy live but watched so many tape of him growing up and I definitely KNOW he's the greatest fullback ever

[@Tokoa144]

I still remember an amazing try that Christian scored at the Hong Kong 7's against Fiji, with the Great Serevi. Fiji were moments away from winning the game and had forced the AB's back behind the goal post in defense when Christian got the ball and went side to side then broke through and went the length of the field to score the winner.! For me, he's the greatest fullback of all time.! Such a graceful runner with deceptive speed..

[@sevetomasi8551]

Tokoa 144 no were u really watch that game? he never score ,he said it later that it would be a best try that he would in his rugby careers if he did .

[@arthursullivan9139]

Thank you Christian Cullen awesome rugby 🏉 player

[@jacqueskirchner4147]

Christian was one of the players many of us Springbok fans always wished to have been playing on our side rather than against us. Incredibly balanced runner with explosive speed! And an eye to find the bullsey in half a gap.

[@PK-bh2sr]

My greatest FB of all time! Great podcast! Thanks Dom! 😎👌🏽

[@Huckleberry-lunger]

Great interview Dom. As a fellow Palmy boy it is great to hear Christian's stories like flatting in Palmy and eating cornflakes for dinner.

[@Jay685toa]

Cullen the best fullback in the history of the game, God given talent yet super humble, He would be great for sky sport

[@Knowyourintent]

You're my greatest rugby player of all time Thanks for all the amazing memories both in ABs and Hurricanes, 7s and Wellington Lions. Your last game for the Lions against Auckland was my last visit to the Caketin. Your modesty and introverted personality just made me like you even more.

[@Keepitsimple183]

Simply the best Cully.. thanks for the memories ..

[@garyhost7067]

What a down to earth normal good bloke who was a freak of nature on the field. Culley still seems to be winning as a Dad and husband. Could sit here all day listening to old rugby tales. True legends always remember the legends that have passed. New Zealand and Samoa salute you USO ♥️♥️♥️

[@chasey2327]

108-12...thats a thanks for coming. Someone described CC as having the '1000 yard stare' as a player - perfect description or a guy that could find or create space in open play like beauden and jason robinson used to. Devastating speed and running angles. That ABs side of 1995-9 then Hurricanes with Jonah and Tama just awesome - watching early Sat morning Super games in northern hemisphere showed us how rapid and skilful the game could be

[@Rimraz]

You finally got CC on!! What a chat!! He is far from boring!! Love the old school yarns!! The GOAT 15.

[@TupouAporoM1978]

Thanks for the memories. scored so many awesome trys.The one and only. The Best #15 💪🖤💛💯%

[@johno9761]

The GREATEST fullback in rugby history his highlight reel is outrageous.

[@tobolee6385]

Him and danie gerber ..best ever to play the game ..

[@Iam0.]

The Paekākāriki Express to North Club Porirua+Lions+Hurricane with Samoan heritage who played for the Maori All Blacks, humbly inspirational

[@peatlejville5392]

Thank you Paekakariki Express for doing this.

[@lahkeyroo6096]

One of the best to do it 😤💯

[@tirahuks1]

The Legend!

[@PhilipVili]

This guy glides he doesn't run hard, the only hard thing about his style of running was catching up ❤❤❤

[@JimmieCooper-le6vj]

Cullen one of the best in his position !! Fantastic player .

[@josephbrolly7232]

Christian is an absolute heroic All Black. Blistering pace, incredible step, and dangerous from everywhere on the field. Plus he was incredibly couragous. The best 15 we ever had by a country mile. Was an inspiratin to so many young guys.

[@petergoodin-s2c]

Cully, totally enjoyable. Am a Counties fan, loved beating you guys when it occasionally happened, because it really meant something, smart, open,exciting rugby. A joy to watch.The way you talked about Jonah and your fellow teammates is special. Have a feeling if the Big Fella was still alive he’d be saying the same good things about you. Freak!! Best wishes to you and your family.

[@benniegreyling3282]

Yours is the first pod cast im listening to, and cant get enough. How about Niel Wagner, as guest. His book is just out, and seems like a awesome story.

[@jonnonz9430]

Greatest fullback of all time 🙌

[@davideveratt5473]

I think he was the single best player I ever watched.

[@Mencey-mp5um]

Greatest Fullback in the history of the game IMHO. A legend !!

[@Flabgrab]

Me personally I don't hate John Mitchell I'm just disappointed which pretty much means I hate John Mitchell, you will always be my favourite player Cully

[@antology7]

🤣

[@hamishpenlington8520]

Just 2 awesome Kiwis having a catchup! Great stories and cool pod! Makes ya proud to be a Kiwi! Cullen was simply the best 🙏

[@ioanalelei9994]

I went to Cullen's debut vs. Manu Samoa, and what a debut it was. Tell my kids about it all the time 😂

[@teretoawild]

the paekakariki express the humble goat my man great interveiw guys from a cuzzy from Porirua 🤙💞

[@JH-hk3uh]

Christian Cullen one of my favourite Alblacks - run from back line right through the whole field - what a legend - thanks Christian :)

[@davidhowardkiwisurfer3997]

Great podcast. CC is such a good guest, I grew up watching him play, total legend.

[@WaferBrik]

Mitchell was a very average AB. He never played a single test, and I believe he only made the team because they thought he'd be a good midweek captain. On playing ability alone, I didn't think he deserved selection, even as a midweeker. He was also a rather strange man with some pretty screwy ideas and theories about psychology, coaching and man management as a coach. Dumping Cullen made no sense to me or many other followers of the game. Cullen was messed about with in his last few seasons with positional switches etc and with the way he was discarded. He said he came out of a meeting with Mitchell confused about what he'd said. Mitchell left many others feeling the same way. They found the manner in which he talked baffling. He's had coaching jobs all around the world, some not lasting long and others ending in acrimony. Such a shame he ever got the ABs coaching job. His treatment of Cullen was appalling.

[@eruera52]

John Mitchell over-bloated egotist.

[@otagogold2236]

Yes I've heard john mitchell is a strange man and can be difficult to deal with, probably why he's had so many coaching jobs all over the place. Do you think Cullens switch to centre had something to do with Wilson wanting to play fullback perhaps?

[@WaferBrik]

@@otagogold2236 Possibly. Mitchell really seemed to have something against Cully though. His treatment of players, in the ABs and during some of his stints around the globe, has been pretty horrible.

[@Reformed1-e1c]

​@WaferBrik yea like he got a young vulnerable Jerry Collins (age 21 or 22 at the time) to front up to the media after their loss to the Wallabies in the 2003 RWC. You don't put a young man in the media like that. But that's John Mitchell and Robbie Deans dickless approach to coaching.

[@antology7]

John Hart switched Cullen to centre for the 1999 World Cup. Jeff Wilson was the on-form fullback at the time. Lomu and Cullen on the Wings with Umaga on the bench. Darryl Gibson and Alama Ieremia were midfield. Daryl Gibson got injured, so they moved Cullen to Centre (he played Centre for Horowhenua in 94) and got Umaga to start on the wing instead of the bench. John Hart also wanted Lomu, Cullen, Wilson and Umaga on the field. Hindsight says Umaga should have been the one for Centre but he wasn't as experienced back then. On a side note, Cullen actually done well at Centre.

[@rangijameshawe9183]

All I can say is you are the man best fullback of all time

[@craigrogers1843]

What an awesome podcast ! Thank you both.

[@stickdeath1980]

had a few beers with him in wellys back in the OG 7's days amazing bloke...i remember asking him why not Rugby league also sorry for John Mitchell he's a cousin of my family we where pissed when he got rid of cully

[@Beefadon]

I really enjoyed this one, thanks Dom and Culley.

[@Freedom-h1q]

The best yet👍

[@byroncowell6883]

awesome interview! Loved watching Cullen carve it up and I too, was perplexed by John Mitchell kaka decision, I mean I have mean things to say, but I won't.

[@tanielafaaui9368]

Jonah 1:11:51

[@katemacdonald5548]

Ohh his room at his parents was incredible! I remember visiting there as a kid and being like 🤩 wish i could find the photo of me wearing his central vikings one.

[@seamus9750]

One of favorite AB's

[@tumekevids9696]

Solid podcast cullys a Legend Hurricanes day one .🤙🏉 chur chur

[@josephbrolly7232]

Cullen embodies so many great Kiwi traits.

[@williamcash5316]

So HUMBLE

[@khayasontsele8984]

Great podcast. I’m a fan now ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@coreydonkin5941]

Cullen is the man! One of the greats

[@VolaToloa]

He was indeed one of the best ever to play fullback … but I love sprinters , Mr Cullen was the AB 100 meter sprinter , love to see him run ..

[@pix8604]

The greatest fullback! I was there when Cully scored the length of the field try against the Waratahs, pure awesomeness! I also tried to name my son Cullen, but did not win that battle with my wife 😭

[@moekontze116]

The best Full back IMO. Love watching him. ❤❤❤

[@kiwasamuels463]

Loving these podcast mate!

[@jocelynchristiansen-m9q]

Christian was the best I had ever seen on the field- so so upset with Mitchell when he dropped him from AB’s. Cullen was not a show pony. He was brilliant.

[@HardForking]

Great stuff, thanks

[@ljawgtn1393]

Think it was a bit more than sticking up for an underdog, I remember it well, it was bad because it was perceived to be more of a personal thing rather than what was best for our National team, coupled with the fact that CC was an actual world class full back, and a like-able and humble one at that. To be wiped off the way he was, hearing that he'd been dropped via the radio??! Haha it's winding me up again thinking about it, like that supporter dude that had to get professional help to get over it!!#*!! Do you notice CC is still here but JM is far, far away! I bet he cops some flak for it still! By contrast, I heard that Munster sold out of their merchandise when it was known that Christian Cullen was going to be playing for them! (Don't know if that's 100% true, but it's a good story and a believable one!) Bringing some homeless dog back, and at a cost $15K way back then, says it all about the man really. Thanks for a great interview, he could read the phone book - we'd listen!

[@edoj7860]

Hearing Cullen talk about the Mitchell era still hurts. Knowing that he didnt want to leave.

[@NickyMartins]

How can we get that book of Cullen

[@waza3218]

CC making Nz grate again ❤

[@JH-kd6hs]

It does, believe me

[@Mpro087]

Great chat

[@petergeary9160]

Excellent Cheers Cully.

[@postmanflavs56]

The greatest fullback to have ever lived

[@midasman1768]

Fantastic listen, what a down to earth Legend.

[@brownpride7585]

LEGEND💯🙏❤

[@letsgetem]

Prime Shaun Johnson reminded me of him. The long range speed was phenomenal

[@ratuperi1268]

That was awesome great listening

[@Stuffynes]

Absolute weapon - easily my favourite player of all time.

[@garrettkopu9191]

As a Hurricanes fan I loved watching him play in that dynamic backline, I don't think he gets enough credit for how strong he was for a smaller player. It's crazy to think he only played in 1 world cup, and that one he was out of position 🙄

[@jaredmullins3433]

love your podcast channel dom awesome guests 🐐🙂

[@rico-zaindentiana-mariepou4446]

In 1996, i got 2 watch 'Culley' play up at Okara Park, man he glided along the ground, he is 1 of the only players i've seen, who still makes ground, even as they're going 2 ground, while being tackled...

[@JimmieCooper-le6vj]

What a clown John Mitchell was !! Telling a legend how to hold a rugby ball,after 50 tests .!! And Mitchell did not make it as s " coach " anywhere in the world in any case .

[@khayasontsele8984]

My favourite player ever. Good honest, top man too.

[@gwynroberts8624]

This guy glided across the park . Him and Jeff Wilson

[@BroderickMilton-dv2sp]

Cullen started jinking and side stepping 10 yards away from the tackler...an absolute nightmare

[@jbrassic5434]

"Running out to 50 or 60 thousand people that want you yo lose. That's a great feeling"

[@Irongaint]

My all time 11,14,15 Lomu, Caucau, Cullen

[@georgethompson6771]

loved it, thanks

[@Knowyourintent]

Still bitterly remember that whole John Mitchell saga. I was so pissed off. Almost didn't watch the world cup that year because of you being dropped. Then I recall you being told to be on stand-by in case of injury. As it turns out someone (can't recall who) did get injured but the bastards called in Ben Atiga instead of you.

[@CAGE-SAVIOUR]

One day I came out of the head masters office and Christian Cullen walked Past Me an stopped turned around then Nodded an walked off Smiling... I thought he was a cop

[@soundzrinmygarden3833]

I don't even like rugby union.....but I like Christian Cullen, what a weapon, very skillful and humble man.

[@kingtom6433]

Favourite player 100%

[@les.duff.6444]

Greatest all black full back of all time too meke Christian Cullen

[@rico-zaindentiana-mariepou4446]

'Cully' would be the easiest & at the same time, the hardest person 2 interview, he is just so humble, that's a good thing 🫂🫶...

[@Reformed1-e1c]

That Frank Oliver imitation took me out 😂😂😂😂

[@FrancisDietPodcast]

Goat at 15 him and Jonah was scary