Planet Rugby

Munster fans will have to wait that little bit longer to see Christian Cullen in action following confirmation he is to undergo shoulder surgery.

Cullen to undergo surgery

The Munster Branch confirmed in a statement: "As a result of consultation with medical specialists, as is the norm for contracted players, Christian Cullen will undergo hospital treatment to repair damage to a shoulder muscle, an injury he suffered in the NPC final played last month.

"As a consequence Cullen will not be available for selection for the Celtic League game against Cardiff Blues on November 28th, the Heineken Cup matches against Bourgoin (December 6th) and Treviso (December 13th) nor the Celtic League game v Connacht on January 2nd. At this stage it is too early to speculate as to his participation in the Heineken Cup games scheduled for January."

Cullen, who won the match-of-the-match award for the NPC final in New Zealand, admitted: "After the NPC final, the diagnosis suggested a maximum recovery period of four weeks. But now it appears that is not the case.

"It's very frustrating for me and I am very disappointed for Munster and their supporters. My intention coming here was to help Munster achieve success. That is still my objective."

Brothers with designs

The winners and runners-up medals presented to the England and Australia teams following Saturday's World Cup final were hand crafted by Dan and John Flynn - brothers from Kyneton in Victoria.

The medals were painstakingly designed over many months. They are made of solid silver and feature the Webb Ellis Cup set against a curved surface, which represents the curve of the globe and the internationalism of the tournament. The reverse of the medal shows the Southern Cross and the locations in Australia where matches were played.

Humour is All Black

John Mitchell's All Blacks may have won their third-place play-off, defeating France, but that won't cut the mustard with the New Zealand public. Mitchell could probably tell Charles Dickens a few things about great expectations and if the following jokes are anything to go by, the coach and players are in for a humourless time back home.

Here is just a flavour.

Q: What's the difference between the All Blacks and a tea bag? A: The Tea Bag stays in the cup Longer.

Q: Why doesn't Joe Rokocoko need any pre-tour travel injections? A: Because he never catches anything.

The seven dwarves are down in the mines when there is a cave-in. Snow White runs to the entrance and yells down to them. In the distance a faint voice is heard obviously shouting out. "New Zealand is good enough to win the World Cup." Snow White thinks to herself, "Well at least I know Dopey is alive."

Did you hear about the New Zealand politician who was found dead on his bed in an All Blacks rugby jersey on Sunday night in King's Cross? The police had to dress him in frilly women's underwear to save his poor family from further embarrassment.

Q: What do you call a New Zealander at the RWC final? A: Ref.

What's the difference between an arsonist and the All Blacks? An arsonist never loses his last match!

Munster Rugby play part

The Community Policing Department of An Garda Síochána in Cork (Anglesea St), will run their annual five-a-side soccer tournament at the Mardyke on December 9th.

This year's event is also being used as a fundraiser for the Simon Community and included in the 20 teams taking part will be an entry - for the first time - from Munster Rugby. In addition, the launch of the event will be held in Musgrave Park on November 28th prior to the Celtic League game between Munster and Cardiff.

In the past, 16 teams representing the homeless community, asylum seekers, the traveller community, Churchfield Youth Community Trust, have joined with sides from the Garda, the Army, the Fire Brigade and the media in an effort to recognise the worth and contribution of all the communities that exist in our diverse society.

Munster Rugby entry will be joined by a Cork GAA All-Star side in an effort by the high-profile sportsmen to raise funds.

Darwin credits Meeuws

In his own words Australian prop Ben Darwin sums up the seconds after he thought he might be paralysed following a serious injury in the World Cup semi-final match against the All Blacks and the sportsmanship demonstrated by Kees Meeuws.

"I heard a crack and immediately called out 'neck, neck, neck' and to his credit Kees Meeuws stopped pushing which was fortunate because I lost feeling in my body and he could have really crashed me into the ground.

"When I was on the ground I had no feeling from my neck down for about two minutes. It was terrifying but the medical staff did a great job of getting me into the right position and then I felt pins and needles in my arms and legs, which was a great relief.

"I asked if they could make sure my wife knew I was okay as that was hugely important to me."

Darwin is expected to make a full recovery but it is not yet known whether he will be able to play rugby again.

Rugby Speak

Someone asked me the other day if I could give up five years of my life to wear the black jersey again, would I. I would."

- Jonah Lomu when accepting his Special Merit Award from the International Rugby Players' Association.

"I'd like to thank you for choosing to run around me."

- Rob Andrew was happy Lomu scored one of his four tries in the RWC 1995 semi-final by running around him, not over him like the Kiwi winger did to Mike Catt.

"One of the hardest things about being an All Black is that nothing you do ever seems to be good enough. People always want more. If we win, they want us to win better. The hardest thing about being an All Black is trying to live up to it."

- New Zealand's Reuben Thorne.