NOLA Gold signed Cullen Collopy for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old hooker/flanker will turn 27 in January. He is 5’10” and 220lbs.
Cullen was born in Cape Town, South Africa and grew up in Kwa Zulu-Natal where he played schoolboy rugby. He attended Kearsley College and then the University of South Africa from 2015-2018, earning a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Marketing Management.
He played youth rugby with the Sharks between 2006-2014. He played with the U13s during Craven Week in 2006, the U16s for Grant Khomo Week in 2009, the U18s for Craven Week in 2011, and for the Sharks U21s in both 2013 and in 2014.
He played with Western Province in 2016 during the Currie Cup qualification series. Later that year, he played in the Currie Cup with the Eastern Province Kings.
During the 2017-2018 season, Cullen moved to Spain to play with FC Barcelona in the Spanish Division de Honor as a flanker. Since 2019, he has played with the Sharks XV in the Rugby Challenge and with the Sharks in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup.
NOLA Gold Comments
Ryan Fitzgerald, General Manager indicated that “Cullen has been a player on our radar over the last couple seasons as he has climbed the ladder into Super Rugby with the Sharks.
An elusive, quick footed runner in open play and yet can get the tough, physical meters in the midfield as well. A solid, consistent Hooker in the set pieces and takes a lot of pride in his defense.
Looking forward to him getting over here and getting stuck in with Gold.”
👑 #GoldReign
