Cullen's return is grim for Mooloos

By CHRIS RATTUE

All eyes will be on Christian Cullen when Wellington face Waikato in Hamilton tomorrow.

By the time Cullen takes the field in his second game since coming back from injury, New Zealand will already be analysing what has gone on at Eden Park the day before.

But Cullen remains the magic ingredient in the national team's lineup and there isn't a fullback, or maybe a player, who can hold a candle to him in terms of matchwinning ability. His form and fitness is a national rugby concern.

The omens looked good on his return last week against Taranaki. Even if he is not quite the Cullen of old yet, he is still a class above the rest.

And his presence is just one of a number of factors Waikato will have to deal with at WestpacTrust Park.

Of major concern to Waikato coach Kiwi Searancke was the failure of his forwards to back up Marty Holah in the loss to North Harbour.

Searancke said video evidence showed that Holah actually shaded Matua Parkinson in the race to the breakdown at North Harbour Stadium, even though some pundits claimed that Holah looked rusty because of a lack of match play.

Who won that battle is a matter of conjecture, but Searancke had no doubt that the rest of his pack lacked the energy of their North Harbour opponents, who had the edge in their support for their open-side flanker.

Wellington will have added aggression in their pack with lock Dion Waller back from suspension. Waikato's power lock, Royce Willis, is on the bench as he struggles to return fully after a groin operation.

Waikato hooker Guy Coleman's season could be at an end because of a knee injury - Waikato are negotiating with Waratahs hooker Mark Crick to cover that - and fellow forwards Holah and Mark Cooksley, who played against North Harbour, are with the All Blacks again.

The form book says that Wellington deserve to be considered favourites for this game.

But then again, form seems to be a fleeting thing in the NPC these days.