Cullen injury sees him out of rugby until at least January

Former All Black Christian Cullen's new career with Irish team Munster is on hold due to injury.

The star fullback injured a shoulder muscle in last month's NPC final against Auckland -- his final game for the Wellington Lions.

Munster's official website today reported Cullen would undergo hospital treatment to repair damage to the shoulder muscle.

The injury would rule Cullen out of rugby until at least January, meaning he would miss at least four matches.

"It is of course disappointing news from everyone's point of view -- opposition excepted of course -- but particularly for Christian himself," Munster coach Alan Gaffney said on the club's website.

" However, the important thing now is to treat the injury properly so that when he does debut for Munster he will be 100 per cent fit. As to when that will be is something we cannot speculate on at this stage."

Cullen told the website he had initially thought the injury was "fairly innocuous" but it had turned into something more serious.

"It's very frustrating for me and I am very disappointed for Munster and their supporters," he said.

- NZPA