Cullen: injury shock for Munster
Cullen was yesterday named in Munster's European Cup squad for the tournament despite the doubt about his ability to make an early debut for the province.
All Black legend Cullen suffered the injury in the latter stages of the New Zealand NPC final against Auckland a couple of weeks ago.
An initial medical suggests he could be ruled out for up to eight weeks, which would force him out of most of Munster's opening phase games. However Munster management insisted last night that the injury is not as serious as first feared.
Coach Alan Gaffney confirmed yesterday that Cullen had been given one medical report and that he would undergo another examination soon.
But Gaffney expressed a degree of confidence: "I think the fact that he has been included in the squad is enough to suggest we are confident he can play a role in our campaign.
"We knew about his injury when it happened and we are happy to name him in the squad on the basis of the medical information available.
"In fact, if we were to name him in the side for a match this weekend, I know he would go out and play. Christian was saying that he can't remember a time when he wasn't carrying some kind of injury.
"The important thing from all points of view is that when he does make his debut that everything will be right. We would not have named him in the squad if we didn't believe he will make a quick recovery."
However, despite the confident noises, the Munster coach must be wondering whether he has trodden on a black cat with Rob Henderson, Alan Quinlan, Mike Prendergast, Denis Leamy and now Cullen injury-stricken.
Cullen is likely to miss the opening Heineken Cup tussle in Bourgoin on Saturday, December 6, and will clearly struggle to be back for subsequent games at home to Treviso and away to Gloucester on January 10th.
Ulster also released their squad of 34 yesterday and the main exclusion is Jonathon Bell, whose Achilles tendon injury forces him to miss the remainder of the season.
Neil McMillan, Rob Kempson and Warren Brosnahan have all been included even though they are currently involved in a rehabilitation programme and may not see any rugby action until next year.
Leinster delayed the release of their squad even though they had to submit it to ERC by noon yesterday.
The main absentees, all injured, are Denis Hickie, John Lyne, Leo Cullen, Niall Treston, Kieran Lewis and James Norton.
Argentina out half Felipe Contepomi arrives to join up with the Leinster squad on Tuesday after a holiday at home following his exploits in the World Cup.
Meanwhile, negotiations with the television stations will continue relating to coverage of the last two pool weekends, but the ERC yesterday announced the dates, kick-off times and television portfolio for the first four rounds of matches.
On the first weekend, Sky will show 480 minutes of live action, beginning with the clash between Llanelli and Northampton.
Another grudge match to be replayed will be between Leinster Lions and Biarritz, to be broadcast live by RTÉ, on December 6. This game will also be shown live on Sky Sports.
"There are some mouth watering games for fans to savour on the first weekend of this season's Heineken Cup and we are delighted with the high level of live coverage we will be offering in conjunction with our broadcast partners, Sky Sports, France Televisions and RTÉ," said ERC chief executive Derek McGrath.
"With 21 of the 48 games in the opening four rounds of Pool matches set to be broadcast by our partners, we will be offering as large a slice of live action as ever before. The Heineken Cup is set to dominate the rugby agenda in the northern hemisphere in December and January as the six rounds of Pool matches are played out in six countries."
MUNSTER SQAUD: (Backs): C. Cullen, A. Horgan, M. Mullins, D. Crotty, J. Holland, J. Kelly, R. O'Gara, P. Stringer, S. Payne, J. Jones Hughes, R. Henderson, M. Lawlor, J. Staunton, E. Reddan, F. Murphy.
(Forwards): J. Hayes, F. Sheahan, M. Horan, G. McIllwham, J. Blaney, S. Kerr, M. Cahill, E. McGovern, J. Flannery, F. Roche, D. Pusey, E. Halvey S. Keogh, P. O'Connell, D. O'Callaghan, C. McMahon, A. Foley, D. Wallace, J. Williams.
ULSTER SQUAD: (Backs): N. Doak, K. Campbell, R. Spee, D. Humphreys, P. Wallace, A. Larkin, S. Stewart, R. Constable, P. Steinmetz, J. Topping, T. Howe, S. Mallon, S. Young, B. Cunningham.
(Forwards): R. Kempson, R. Moore, S. Best, R. McCormack, B. Young, S. Shawe, M. Sexton, P. Shields, N. Brady, R. Best, G. Longwell, R. Frost, M. McCullough, M. Mustchin, W. Brosnnihan, N. McMillan, A. Ward, T. McWhirter, R. Wilson, N. Best.
++++++++++++++++++++
Jones says Wallabies determined to silence cynics
By Alex Lowe, Sydney
AUSTRALIA coach Eddie Jones last night rejected claims the Wallabies will be "roadkill" when they meet the rampaging All Blacks in tomorrow's World Cup semi-final.
Such is the pessimism that bookmakers Down Under rate the Wallabies at 9-1 to win the World Cup rank outsiders behind New Zealand, France and England.
Jones, though, urged the public to snap up the odds because he is convinced the Wallabies have what it takes to pull off a comprehensive performance, and victory on Saturday.
"To be described as roadkill on a Monday morning, obviously people don't have high expectations as to how we're going to go," he said.
"Hopefully when the lights come on (at Telstra Stadium) we don't stop. I am sure we won't.
"There are four teams in the competition and history shows there is very little between the four teams.
"I think all the four coaches in all the four teams know that, on Sunday night, any of those four teams could be the two in the final. I think the public should support us, most definitely. We are doing absolutely everything we can to play as well as we can for Australia."
He added: "Certainly New Zealand have some frailties in their game. We have got some plays. You try to come up with one or two things that maybe the opposition aren't alert to.
"We have got a couple of things we would like to use that would attack areas we don't feel New Zealand are that strong in.
"Wales showed that quick ball can expose them. We have to do the same as Wales to get the go forward to open up those weaknesses."
But Jones is acutely aware both his side and the All Blacks have moved on in the months since the Tri-Nations.
And he does not believe New Zealand will suffer any mental hangovers from the shock defeat in the semi-final four years ago.
"I think the preparation they've had under John Mitchell, they've set themselves high standards," said Jones.
"They've shown a great amount of mental strength under pressure. I think they are a more stable team than 1999, they are getting good leadership from their senior players, which gives them an advantage."
Jones believes his players are physically ready for the challenge, and all that now remains is to fine-tune them mentally to face the All Blacks and bury any bad thoughts emanating out of the last two defeats.
"Our fitness has improved six to 10% since then (the last meeting in Auckland). Physically we are 100% right we couldn't be better right now. It's about being mentally right, mentally up to the game," said Jones.
"It's going to come down to who's the best team for the 80 minutes, it might not even be 80 it could be 30 minutes where the game is won."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
