Muliaina surpasses Cullen record
Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:21
Mils Muliaina will enter the All Black record books on Saturday, playing the most Tests at fullback by any New Zealander when the All Blacks face the Springboks in Dunedin.
Muliaina will play his 46th Test at No.15 in the second Tri-Nations clash, surpassing the previous record held by attacking genius Christian Cullen.
The 27-year-old noted the significance of his achievement with a lot of humility.
"I've obviously grown up watching Christian play," Muliaina told NZPA.
"He's an awesome fullback, so to have passed him I'm very fortunate to have had coaches with a lot of faith in me."
The Samoan-born, Invercargill-raised back admitted he would not be held in the same light as Cullen, but hopes he has made an impression of his own.
"I suppose I hope to be remembered as someone with a lot of solidity, solid at the back and hopefully someone who's gone out there and done his job really."
Saturday will in fact be Muliaina's 60th Test for the All Blacks, having burst onto the Kiwi scene in 2003 as a utility wing and centre, before locking down his favoured role at No.15.
Muliaina will only just pip past Leon MacDonald to surpass Cullen's mark, with MacDonald having played 44 Tests at fullback.
Muliaina was at his reliable best in rough weather during last Saturday's 19-8 win over the Springboks in Wellington, and duly enjoyed the challenge.
"You certainly set different goals - making sure you're in the right position and catching everything you can," he said.
"Putting your body on the line, it's those sort of goals you want to achieve if you're not running freely."
Muliaina's mother and stepfather will drive from Invercargill to attend the Test in Dunedin. Muliaina admitted he might still be in Invercargill himself - followed his father's footsteps into the freezing works - were it not for a life-changing decision to move to Auckland for his last two years of school.
Muliaina followed his older brother to Kelston Boys' High School in 1997, coach Henry (who was coach of Auckland at the time) to remain north rather than return to Invercargill so as to chase an NPC spot with Southland.
"It was scary. I remember my first year at school [in Auckland], it just blew me away," Muliaina said.
"I do remember going back down to Invercargill and I had to make a decision. I just did not want to go back up there but my mother and my brother could see a better future for me so I decided to stick it out another year.
"I look back at it now and I'm so grateful that I made it," he added.
