‘Cutch’ Courage: Waratahs Benefit From Steely Back Rowers’ Return
by Paul Cook -
Scoring your first try in Super Rugby would be a career highlight for most players but for NSW Waratahs back rower Pat McCutcheon, it is a moment he’d rather forget. The date was Saturday March 10th 2012, the location was the new Forsyth Barr indoor stadium in Dunedin and the opposition was a rampant Highlanders. Five minutes into the second half, Highlanders fly-half Colin Slade cleared his lines but an ever alert McCutcheon charged down the kick and as the ball shot backwards to the home side’s 22, a foot race ensued. Given the tragic outcome, McCutcheon probably wishes it was one he’d lost.
“I remember the charge down and regathering the ball and scoring,” says the 25yr old “but as we hit the deck and heard a noise, I looked at the other bloke and said