Christian Cullen in Whangarei

Jacquiline Koia used to watch Christian Cullen on television but to meet him was a dream come true.

The Whangarei mother was among a handful of people who gathered at Melville & Ellis in Vine St, Whangarei, yesterday for a chat with the former All Black fullback and to get his autograph.

Cullen was invited as part of a lounge-suite promotion the Whangarei retailer ran in which customers got to meet him.

Ms Koia and her 6-year-old son Fairlane Koia-Paki said meeting Cullen was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"He's a lovely person ... pretty down to earth. Me and my boy, we used to watch him play on TV and it's awesome to meet him in a place like this, in my best shop in town," she said.

Her son had been "amping" from last week to meet Cullen, Ms Koia said.

Cullen, who scored 46 tries in 58 tests for the All Blacks, last toured Northland as an NPC player for Wellington many years ago.

Like many former All Blacks and rugby pundits, he threw his predictions on the form teams and players at RWC into the mix.

"My prediction is the same as that of any New Zealander.

"If the boys keep on playing the way they do and improving, we'll be all right," he said, referring to the All Blacks.

"Before the tournament, I thought Australia would be up there ... they'll still be a threat. South Africa is playing pretty well too, but they know they can beat the All Blacks."

Cullen made his international debut against Samoa in 1996, scoring three tries.

He followed up with four against Scotland in his second test.