Celtic League: It's all well and good scoring a New Zealand record 46 tries in a mere 58 Tests for the almighty All Blacks, but now comes Christian Cullen's real test: down in Munster, you haven't proved yourself until you've done it in the red jersey.
Tonight, at long last, perhaps the highest-profile import to Irish rugby of all time will finally play his first game for Munster when they host the Neath/Swansea Ospreys at Musgrave Park in the Celtic League.
Coach Alan Gaffney has implored the Munster faithful and the rest of us not to expect too much too soon from Cullen, who last played in November in Wellington's National Provincial Championship (NPC) final defeat to Auckland. It was in that game Cullen suffered the shoulder injury which required an operation and sidelined him for over three months.
The good ship Munster has sailed along merrily enough in his absence, procuring a home European Cup quarter-final against Biarritz in six weeks, with the carrot of a first semi-final in Ireland against either Wasps or Gloucester to follow.
But the possibilities which the Paekakariki Express brings to Munster's game are endless. It was always felt Cullen's pace, invention and prolific eye for the whitewash would give a new dimension to their game, perhaps even provide that missing ingredient between European Cup bridesmaids and champions.
Recently turned 28, Cullen has, admittedly, a lot of mileage on the clock, having broken into the All Blacks' side eight years ago after a string of prolific performances for the New Zealand Sevens (a faintly ridiculous 41 tries in 18 games) and the Hurricanes' Super 12 side. And there remains a suspicion that knee reconstruction may have taken a yard off his pace.
Nevertheless, his Super 12 form held up pretty well last year and he's far from alone in believing he was unfairly ostracised by All Black coach John Mitchell. In his last outing, that NPC final, almost single-handedly he kept Wellington in the game with two opportunistic tries before his shoulder injury.
The whole ground chanted his name as the match stopped. The camera zoomed in on him and he modestly waved one had toward his adoring Wellington fans.
"They say time stops for no man," observed commentator Murray Mexted, "but it did there."
"It's great to have him at last," admits Mick Galwey. "By his own admission, he's going to have to play well to get on to the side. But he's bought into the whole set-up very well. He's a thorough professional and it's great to see a player of his ability in his prime playing for Munster."
Galwey points out that Munster have been very lucky with their overseas' imports, such as Rhys Ellison, John Langford, Jim Williams, Mike Mullins and Shaun Payne. Have they struck gold again? Tonight will merely be his first tentative steps, but the sense of expectation is palpable.
Oh yes, and there's Celtic League points at stake tonight as well, and as much as the psychological boost which Cullen's presence provides, it's the return of their spiritual leader Williams - who hardly ever has a bad game and was sorely missed in the defeat away to Llanelli last week - which boosts their chances of returning to winning ways. Frankie Roche and Frankie Sheahan also return to the front row.
The Ospreys are an amalgam of Neath (aka the Neath All Blacks) and Swansea (aka the Jacks) and have thus been dubbed the Black Jacks. Their European Cup win over Leeds appears to have been a turning point, with a 13-9 defeat away to Ulster being followed by wins over Glasgow and the Gwent Dragons. Currently last of the five Welsh teams, with the top four qualifying for next season's European Cup they have every incentive.
Likewise, they are also seeking a double over Munster, with talented full back Gavin Henson (the competition's third-highest points scorer with 158) and Tongan centre Dave Tieuti (five tries) the dangermen.
But all eyes will be on the problems Christian Cullen will pose for them.
MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne, J Kelly, R Henderson, A Horgan; J Holland, E Reddan; F Roche, F Sheahan, G McIlwham, T Hogan, David Pusey, S Keogh, J Williams (capt), E Halvey. Replacements (from): M Lawlor, J Jones-Hughes, C O'Sullivan, F Murphy, P Malone, T Hayes, J Blaney, M Cahill.
NEATH/SWANSEA OSPREYS: G Henson; S Terblanche, D Tieuti, M Brayley, E Sevalai'i; S Connor, A Williams; A Millward/C Griffiths, B Williams, A Jones, A Newman, L Tait, J Bater, A Lloyd, F Tandy.
Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland).
Forecast: Munster to win.
