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Robin Heymann

“Raw young talent is something Kenya is not short of.” (Gray Cullen)

A new type of Kenyan rugby hero has stepped from the shadows in recent times. He may not have the leap of a Humphrey Kayange, the gas of Collins Injera or the dexterity of a Biko Adema but Gray Cullen has bought something else to the party. The skilful powerhouse made his major debut at Delhi’s Commonwealth Games becoming the first and only white player to represent Kenya at sevens.

Cullen was educated in the UK and went on to represent England Under-18s and Northampton Saints before falling foul to injury and returning to his native Kenya.

Ahead of the HSBC Sevens World Series UR7s caught up with the former safari guide to learn more about his family’s sporting excellence, travelling the globe and the next big things in Kenyan rugby.

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Gray…the Commonwealth Games! Not a bad major first tournament to be involved in!?

Brilliant. I cannot describe the excitement in running out for Kenya against the likes of Samoa and Australia. My teammates always said the Commonwealths is the ultimate tournament. I can see why.

Was it strange having your sister also in Delhi but playing (very well!) for Team England in hockey?

The Kenyans always got a shock when a rogue member of Team England came over and started jabbering away in Swahili! My sister has always been like that. It was fantastic having her there in Delhi. We've taken very different paths since school but always remained close so it was very special that finally both our sports had taken us to the same place, all be it that she was playing for England!

There are some serious sporting genes in the Cullen household I hear?!

So they say. I think it may stem more from the active outdoor lifestyle we've all grown up with. My grandfather was a boxer, father a golfer, mother a squash player and sister a hockey player. Funny thing is we've never done the same sport.

How has the team welcomed you into the squad?

The guys couldn't have made it easier. Kenyans on the whole are very gregarious and fun people. I had played with most of them in the local leagues and in Kenya 15s team before so the transition was very natural.

You were highly rated as a schoolboy representing England Under-18s and Northampton Saints - does a part of you wonder what could have been with England?

Not at all. As much as I loved the rugby in the UK and the friends I made, my adventurous side would always get the better of me. After Loughborough University, I did two years safari guiding all across southern Kenya, spent a year in Queensland, then a season in Northern Ireland before returning home to give it a go at getting into the Kenya set-up.

With all the injuries how much a relief is to be playing the sport you love?

A big relief. Am praying they keep away.

What was your sevens background before playing for Kenya?

Any excuse to play sevens and travel in the UK, Europe, Africa or Asia and I was there. I’ve played for teams such as the Marauders, Samurai Sharks, Apaches, Backstabbers, Bristol Select, Judas, Loughborough Uni and Northampton.

With your strength and size you can arguably bring something different to the squad?

Kenya has without doubt more pace and flair than most but it is no secret that when opposition now play us they take a much more direct route. I also believe that the sevens game is evolving. There is more emphasis on contact, setting the offside with teams targeting the set piece/breakdowns and kick-offs to gain possession. This was seen no more so in Delhi than by Australia and New Zealand, the two finalists. I would hope that whilst we must always remain with our pace out wide, I would add to the core strength of the pack.

Which up-and-coming sevens players in Kenya should we look out for?

Oscar Ouma is a very exciting young player I played with in Zambia and South Africa earlier this year. I'm sure allbeing well, you will see him on the HSBC circuit before the end of the year and there are many more; Patrice Agunda, Eden Adero, Edgar Abere... raw young talent is something Kenya is not short of. What is a challenge is whether the pressure of making a living when these young men come out of school/college disallows them to continue their rugby ambitions.

Are you surprised guys like Collins and Humphrey haven't been signed professionally around the globe?

Very. Whilst both maybe considered sevens specialists, the impact the brothers and other sevens players make when returning to their clubs and playing in the regional 15s circuit can and often is the difference between winning and losing.

Many Kenya players would be an attribute to any professional club, especially given the chance to train and focus full-time on rugby to reach their full potential.

Are you excited to possibly be travelling the globe with the on HSBC Sevens World Series?

As you can see from my brief history so far, I love to travel and that coupled with playing the best sevens teams from around the world and hopefully the chance to be involved with the first Kenya team to bring back a Series leg – it's a no brainer.

And of course you must have heard about the incredible support Kenya gets on the circuit!?

Heard about, seen and been a part of! In Delhi there was only a small Kenya crowd which still got the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. I can only imagine what effect thousands of screaming Shujaa fans will have!

What tournament would you most like to be involved in and why?

Dubai because it is the first tournament I ever watched Kenya play live following playing for the Invitational competition. It was from then I truly started wishing I could be playing to the chants of the Mlevi's or Shujaa Fans. It’s also hot, dry and at the beginning of the season where teams are unfit which suites Kenya down to the ground.