This was published 9 years ago
Canberra's Tom Cusack ticks Commonwealth Games checklist with bronze medal
By James Buckley
Canberra Royals back-rower Tom Cusack ticked off his entire Commonwealth Games checklist in Glasgow.
He played in front of a rugby-mad Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, the grandest stage ever experienced by the 21-year-old.
Canberra's Tom Cusack, playing for Australia in Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games.Credit: Reuters
His knee emerged unscathed from its first major hitout since a reconstruction almost 12 months ago.
And, most importantly, Cusak now boasts a rugby sevens bronze medal to bring back to Australia this week.
The Games experience, its infectious atmosphere and endlessly catered athletes' village, has left Cusack hungry for more.
He's already circled the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as his next major target.
"It's just a shame we have to fly out; it'd be great to witness the whole athletes' village unfold over the next week," Cusack said.
"Rio is the next goal for everyone and that's a dream and what everyone strives to be at.
"It's going to be a great atmosphere there, better than here and it's one that everyone looks forward to."
Australia beat Samoa 24-0 in the bronze medal game after running into New Zealand at the semi-final stage.
But they were fortunate to get that far after a plucky Wales side almost sprung an upset in the quarter-finals.
Wales led 19-0 in front of a vocal British crowd and butchered a glorious opportunity to seal the game with the score at 19-14 late in the second half.
Pama Fou scored late for Australia to complete the comeback and shatter Welsh dreams.
"That was probably the most nervous I've ever been coming off the bench then. We were 14-19 down and we had to score a try no matter what to win the game," Cusack said.
"I couldn't have been happier when Pama stepped about four people to score under the posts, it was great.
"The crowd were more cheering for Wales, they wanted them to get over the line. I tell you what, I didn't care what they were doing I was happy to take the win.
"I don't think we had the crowd cheering us on at any stage. I think in total there were 170,000 over the four stages of the tournament and to be honest it was the best stage that I've performed in.
"It was a great atmosphere and a great experience and I loved every minute of it."