When it comes to signing up for a reality TV show, former All Black Christian Cullen would really rather be playing golf.
But there was one thing which made him decide to put away the golf clubs and compete on Celebrity Treasure Island – the death of his brother-in-law.
“We lost my brother-in-law a year and a half ago to a brain tumour, so the charity aspect of the show was a big thing for me,” says Christian. “Whether you’re on for four days or 21 days, there’s going to be awareness around that.”
Christian says his wife Amanda Fawcett’s brother was in his early forties and living his best life in Australia.
“He came back and went through treatment, which was tough to watch,” recalls Christian. “She also lost another brother a while ago, so it’s been a hard time.”
The charity Christian is supporting on Celebrity Treasure Island is Brain Tumour Support.
“There’s a lot of people, many of them young, in New Zealand who have brain tumours,” he says. “And a lot of the treatment isn’t funded, so they have to go overseas and be self-funded.
“Whether I make $100,000 or $10,000, or no money on the show, just getting the awareness out there is important,” he says.
It’s been a little over 20 years since Christian left the All Blacks. However, he’s remained physically fit and says his strength will be his greatest asset.
“Anything physical, like swimming, I’ll be up for it,” he laughs. “I’m also quite a calm and relaxed person, and I don’t stress out too much. I’m pretty resilient, I’ll back people and be pretty loyal.”
But not having the luxuries in life will be a challenge, he admits.
“Sleeping on a hard bed with no pillow won’t be great,” he admits. “I don’t eat a lot, but if we don’t win challenges, eating rice and beans might well do my head in!”
But the toughest challenge for Christian has been injuries, which became a big part of his rugby career.
“I went to Ireland when I was 27, which was pretty young, and I didn’t come home for five years. It was tough on the other side of the world away from family and friends, and getting injured back to back.”
He says the injuries were a big reason he gave up rugby, but Christian is still proud of his time in the All Blacks and getting the cap for playing 100 tests.
“I got to play with some of my heroes, like Michael Jones,” he enthuses. “That’s the cool thing about rugby – you can look up to somebody and then you’re sitting in the changing room with him.”
At 48, Christian is one of the older celebrities on the island and as a former pin-up boy of rugby, he says a lot of people tell him he looks so much older now.
“I tell them it’s been 20 years since I played rugby, so of course I look older. But, I’m quite happy to be the George Clooney of the island!” he laughs.
Although he may not be as outgoing as the Hollywood actor.
“I don’t talk a lot. I’m pretty quiet, so if anyone wants a big, long chat, that might be a problem.”
When Christian lists the things he misses most on the island, playing golf comes in equal with his kids and wife Mandy.
“I’d love my kids to play golf, then I could caddy for them,” he jokes. “I don’t care what sports my kids do, as long as they do something.”
Christian’s children, Cole, 15, Dillon, 14, Christian, 13, and Fallon, 11, have been watching their dad on TV. That’s causing him a little bit of anxiety.
“I really don’t want to do anything on the show that would embarrass the kids,” he admits.
“Whatever happens, I’m a bit of a ‘take each day as it comes’ sort of person. I don’t look too far ahead and I don’t look backwards.
“So long as I don’t do anything stupid and embarrass myself, I should be okay.”
Watch Christian on Celebrity Treasure Island Mondays to Wednesdays at 7.30pm on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+.
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