Hurricanes weigh up giving Cullen a break

Hard on the heels of the Crusaders limping through the opening four rounds of the Super 12 without their supremo Andrew Mehrtens, the Hurricanes have admitted contemplating giving All Blacks fullback Christian Cullen a long break from the game.

The Hurricanes' star has been struggling to regain full pace and effectiveness after an operation on his right knee at the start of the year.

They have had no input from All Blacks coach Wayne Smith on the subject but Cullen, usually among the most fleet-footed of runners, has clearly been hampered in the Super 12. Cullen has now gone 5 1/2 matches without scoring a try.

"I reckon Christian Cullen needs a complete break from the game. And I mean sooner rather than later," wrote former All Black centre Frank Bunce this week.

Hurricanes coach Graham Mourie said the Cullen situation was discussed last week.

"We talked about it. But it's a matter of where we are at as a team," Mourie said. "It's not just Cully, a number of the players are tired. Guys like 'Merhts' [Andrew Mehrtens] who have had enforced injury breaks have been lucky."

Mourie would not comment on big wing Jonah Lomu's situation, but it appears he is also feeling the strain. Lomu has been very patchy in the past two matches. He had little break over Christmas and a solid commitment to sevens training before the Super 12 season.

Smith maintained his panel has had no contact with the Hurricanes over the big-name players.

"We have never spoken to the Hurricanes about it. That decision is up to them - and they still have their goals."

Former South African coach Nick Mallett has slated the Hurricanes forward pack and Lomu after their sluggish performances in the Super 12.

In a rugby website column, he said New Zealand's star players were either injured or out of form.

"Christian Cullen is playing in fits and starts and looks as though a hamstring is slowing him up.

"The Hurricanes pack would struggle against most Vodacom Cup (South African provincial sides) packs, so his possession is poor as well. Jonah Lomu looks like a cumbersome ox rather than a rampaging bull and should realise that his sole strength is his strength and should therefore run at opponents and attempt to retain possession, neither of which he is inclined to do at the moment."

Mallett believed Tana Umaga is not the right man for centre.

"At the moment, I feel he is more effective on the wing, where he is devastating, as opposed to centre where he is good, but not yet great."