Christian Mathias Cullen (born 12 February 1976) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player.

He played most of his rugby at fullback for New Zealand (the All Blacks), for the Hurricanes in the Super 12, and for Manawatu, Wellington and later Munster at provincial level.

[citation needed] Cullen was born in Paraparaumu and grew up in Paekākāriki, a small town north of Wellington.

In 2001 Cullen sustained a severe knee injury that required surgery and an intensive recovery programme.

He made himself unavailable for the All Blacks' 2001 end-of-year tour, but was announced 'dropped' by coach John Mitchell at a NZRU press conference.

His last match for Munster was a 15–7 Celtic League win over the Newport Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park on 28 April 2007.

Two weeks later, on 12 May, he announced his retirement from rugby and stated his intention of returning to New Zealand to start a business.

[6] Cullen is the All Blacks' second-highest try-scorer in the Tri Nations Series with 16,[citation needed] second only to Richie McCaw.

He is the third-highest try-scorer in Super Rugby with 56 tries,[citation needed] behind Joe Roff and Howlett.