Gavin Cummiskeytalks to former All Black fullback Ben Blair who lends his considerable class to Cardiff's efforts against Munster on Sunday
Christian Cullen's latest comeback for Munster on Sunday against Connacht saw him take enough belts to revive hope that a once glittering career can remain injury-free at least until next summer.
Go to youtube.com and type in the man's name. What comes up is a collage of truly breathtaking tries for Wellington and the All Blacks. There are no Munster clips.
Cullen exploded on the international scene in 1996, much like Brian O'Driscoll lit up Paris in 2000, to inspire a generation of Kiwi fullbacks, who clearly modelled themselves on the gliding style of the Paekakariki Express, just like Irish teenagers Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls exude shades of O'Driscoll's movement.
"I played against Christian quite a few times," says Cardiff Blues and former New Zealand fullback Ben Blair. "As a teenager he was the best fullback I had ever seen so he was a natural idol. I just enjoyed watching him play. His electric pace and the way he picked perfect lines to run off Tana Umaga. It led to so many wonderful tries.
"Of course, I haven't seen him for three years due to his injury troubles."
Ben Blair was the next best thing after Cullen. A tough act to follow but he, too, is blessed with an uncanny ability to enter a line at decisive moments. He also drew comparisons with Canterbury Crusaders team-mate Andrew Mehrtens for his ability to kick goals blindfolded.
Blair was unaware that Cullen had recovered so any talk of renewing an old rivalry in Sunday's round three of the Heineken European Cup at the Arms Park is given the straight bat. "Isn't there another guy at fullback? Shaun Payne. He's a decent player too."
On becoming All Blacks coach in 2001, John Mitchell discarded Cullen (prompting Cullen to label the coach a "dick" in his 2003 autobiography) for the ever-improving Blair. A debut came at Ravenhill later that year when he kicked 37 points against Ireland 'A' although, at five foot nine and just 13 and a half stone, the ultra-analytical New Zealand public were always going to have a problem with him. No matter how well he kicked or ran or tackled they wanted a machine. Blair won four caps before Leon MacDonald and Mils Muliaina begun to monopolise the black number 15, while the Crusaders unearthed an even better place-kicker named Dan Carter.
"I knew my ship had sailed regarding the All Blacks. There was no point waiting around for an injury to put me back in the frame. I had always intended to come up here and play rugby. I'm still only 27 so I have at least three or four good years in me. Also, when you play in the same place for a number of years you do tire of it."
The Arms Park immediately embraced a world-class fullback, especially considering Rhys Williams is on the long-term injury list.
The obvious question for someone who leaps hemispheres is to make the comparison between the Super 14 and European Cup. "It's hard to compare. The weather is so different, for starters, although back home the forward skill levels, like handling, are quite high (the Ali Williams spiral against Wales, anyone?) but until we see Munster play the Crusaders no one can say for sure."
At Thomond Park maybe? "They don't lose there do they? We have a tough couple of weeks ahead of us. Being from New Zealand, Munster people aren't slow to remind you of the day the All Blacks were beaten at Thomond. It's always tough to play away but we, too, have a decent record at the Arms Park."
The Munster gameplan this weekend will be dictated by the elements. Ronan O'Gara will play the corners, looking to expose any positional lapses by the Blues' back three. "I don't believe there is a better tactical boot in the game. His kicks have a low trajectory that enables the ball to skid along the ground. For a fullback, it's about being proactive in your positioning although there is not much you can do if the ball only bounces a few yards from the touchline. Munster have a good lineout too, which allows them to repeat this process time and again."
Cardiff proved in the narrow defeat to Leicester they are a club on the up. Only problem is Pool Four contains two European giants.
"We always sort of knew we would be up against it when you are in a pool with Leicester and Munster.
"Still, I believe we just lacked the self-belief to beat Leicester. It might be a major regret when we look back on the season.
"I'm only here three months but already I can see this is a progressive club. We still don't have the depth in our squad like the Ospreys, who have up to 40 players.
"Take someone like Martyn Williams. He is extremely hard to replace and considering we have to go to Leicester and Munster we cannot afford to lose any of our international players."
Losing this guy would be the real disaster.
