Cullen returns to scene where he ran ref and rivals ragged

It will be a walk down memory lane for Christian Cullen as he watches Gordon Tietjens and New Zealand attempt to defend their Hong Kong Sevens title this weekend.

The famed All Black fullback has returned to the place where it all began, and was in a reflective mood when the South China Morning Post caught up with him. Cullen said looking back he might have done a few things differently in his illustrious career, but wouldn't change an iota of how it all began for him right here at Hong Kong Stadium.

'I don't think it was the same stadium in 1995. They have done it up. But it was here that I got my chance. Titch [Tietjens] gave me my chance,' says Cullen, recalling how he stormed into the limelight in Hong Kong.

Widely regarded as the greatest fullback to don an All Blacks jersey, Cullen was still a raw teenager when Tietjens brought him to Hong Kong. It was the start of a remarkable journey for one of the most skilled players to come out of New Zealand.

'Titch was an amazing bloke. He had the special ability to pick young guys out from the blue and give them a crack. He was unafraid. He first brought me here in 1995 and I played one game,' said the 33-year-old Cullen, who is in town on 'corporate work'.

'My parents used to come to the Sevens and I used to hear how great it was. When I came, I couldn't believe how big it was. I returned in 1996 and that was a big year for me. I played every game, scored a few tries and won the final. That has been one of the highlights of my career.'

Well, actually it was more than 'a few tries'. Cullen scored a record 18 tries, including seven in one match (against Sri Lanka), and accumulated a record 136 points.