BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | Record cull offers no guarantees

But even with that prolific strike rate, Cullen is not guaranteed to be in his favoured number 15 jersey for this year's Tri Nations series.

The progress of Canterbury's Leon MacDonald over the past 18 months has given All Blacks coach John Mitchell a seriously talented alternative at full-back.

And he shows every signing of being happy to use it if New Zealand's Tri-Nations warm-up matches are any guide.

Cullen, playing his first Test in 18 months after recovering from knee problems, scored a scorching solo try in a superb all-round display in an opening rout of Italy.

But the most dangerous attacking back in world rugby found himself playing club rugby the following week as MacDonald was reinstated for the tougher challenge of Ireland.

All Blacks edge Ireland

All Blacks maul Irish

He responded with a crucial try in a nervy first Test victory, and helped himself to a couple more in a comfortable second Test win, with Cullen again on the sidelines.

But the Wellington favourite was recalled to face Fiji on his home ground at the WestpactTrust Stadium and responded with three typically predatory scores.

Leon MacDonald in action in the second Test against Ireland
MacDonald could take Cullen's No 15 jersey

Since making his Test debut against Samoa in 1996, Cullen has had few peers in the modern game at sniffing out the try-line.

Only Australian legend David Campese (64 tries in 101 Tests) and England's Rory Underwood (49 in 85) are ahead of him on the all-time list.

Cullen, Mitchell may care to note, has been partiularly adept at prizing a way through the well-honed defences of Tri Nations rivals Australia and South Africa.

He has notched eight tries in 13 outings against the Wallabies, and an even healthier 10 in 14 meetings with the Springboks, more than any other player.

But Cullen, still only 26, is not the only current All Black for whom an outstanding Test match pedigree is no guarantee of selection.

Four of the top six on New Zealand's all-time try-scoring list are in the current squad, but not necessarily certain starters.

Jonah Lomu powers away to score against Italy
Lomu's relish for scoring tries is undiminished

The most famous of course is Jonah Lomu, who has 35 tries from 59 Tests, but finds his starting place under pressure from another Crusader, Caleb Ralph.

Interestingly, South Africa remain Lomu's bogey team, with the juggernaut wing yet to register a try against the Springboks in 11 attempts to date.

Lomu, 27, is currently level with another wing legend John Kirwan, with Tana Umaga next on the list with 23 tries in 39 Tests.

But the dreadlocked centre, hampered by a knee injury and the impressive form of Mark Robinson, is another doubtful starter.

Mehrtens marches on

Then there is Justin Marshall, who has a handy strike-rate for a scrum-half with 21 tries in 56 Tests, but is vying for Otago's Byron Kelleher for the number nine jersey.

If there is one certainty in this Tri-Nations series however, it is that Andrew Mehrtens will continue to extend his own All Blacks records.

The rejuvenated fly-half, who had a commanding Super 12 season, leads New Zealand's all-time points-scoring list with 848 in his 59 Tests.

Of those, 813 have come from the boot, courtesy of 162 penalties (another Kiwi record), a world-record 150 conversions, and nine drop goals.

Only Wales points machine Neil Jenkins (1029 in 86 Tests), Italian maestro Diego Dominguez (959 in 71) and Michael Lynagh (911 in 72) are ahead of Mehrtens on the all-time list.


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