NPC first step for Cullen

Christian Cullen's return to the field after knee surgery may be only eight days away. But it's virtually certain the All Black fullback will not be considered for the Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Dunedin on August 11.

It seems more likely that Cullen will join Wellington's NPC campaign, leading to a possible return to the All Blacks for their test against South Africa on August 25 or the Wallabies on September 1.

He will join the All Blacks in Christchurch for assessment next week.

Wellington coach Dave Rennie said that assessment would decide whether Cullen would have game time in Wellington's NPC warm-up match against Otago on August 3.

"He's not there yet. The initial plan was to give him a run against Otago, but he needs to improve a litle bit on where he's at.

"He's running reasonably freely, but it's the slowing down and changing direction which is causing a little bit of pain. He's hit a bit of a plateau in his improvement, but that's common, so he may struggle to make the Otago game."

Even if Cullen did play against Otago, it's highly unlikely he will be cleared to play for New Zealand against Australia on August 11.

The All Blacks' medical staff has insisted his welfare is paramount and that no chances will be taken.

Rennie added that All Blacks coach Wayne Smith had said that Cullen needed game time before he would be considered for an international recall.

* Taranaki prop Tama Tuirirangi is out of the NPC with a serious neck injury which may prevent him playing again.

He said he had been diagnosed with a slipped disc near the top of his back, which was pushing on his spinal cord.

The injury was similar to one Australian rugby league forward Gordon Tallis suffered this year.

"The injury has just happened through playing rugby, and I have seen a doctor at Taranaki Base Hospital who has told me I'm out for the season," the 22-year-old Tuirirangi said.

He said the injury would be reassessed next year. If it had not improved it could be the end of his career.

The injury had topped off an extremely frustrating season.

After missing the Hurricanes Super 12 squad, Tuirirangi was called into the Chiefs after injuries left that side short of props.

But he was banned for three weeks and then released from the Chiefs in April after being sent off against the Sharks for punching an opponent on the ground.

- NZPA