Watch: Christian Cullen makes his test debut 25 years ago today

25 years ago today, the rugby world was introduced to a legend of the game with young fullback Christian Cullen making his test debut against Samoa.

Cullen was cleared to make his debut on the day of the game and went on to score a hattrick on his debut. 

The man known as The Paekakariki Express earned his maiden call up to the black jersey after a breakout year with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.

He was welcomed to test rugby with a thumping tackle from Brian Lima but went on to score a hattrick as the All Blacks won the match 51-10.

On this day in 1996, Christian Cullen made his test debut scoring a hat-trick against Samoa at McLean Park 🔥

The Paekakariki Express 🚂
pic.twitter.com/FnX0ZE1sn7

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 7, 2021

Cullen went on to score 46 tries in total for the All Blacks in just 58 games with his test career coming to an end in 2002.

He still ranks joint second overall in the All Blacks' all-time try-scoring list with Doug Howlett edging him by three tries.