Rugby young gun reveals how he beat cancer – and Wallabies World Cup hero Owen Finegan was part of the journey

A promising footy player on the books of legendary Sydney rugby union club Randwick has revealed how he tackled cancer head on after he was diagnosed with leukaemia aged just 11.

Hugo Kulcsar also inspired Wallabies legend Owen Finegan, who knew the youngster personally through his own son. 

Now 18, Hugo knew something was amiss when he felt a lump in the back of his head in June of 2018.

When getting blood tests days later he fainted, and then Hugo was informed he had cancer.

‘Receiving that news was just an absolute shock,’ he told News Corp.

‘My grandfather had it for 10 years, and he died three years prior to when I got diagnosed. So I knew what it can do to you.’  

Chemotherapy followed, and the side effects were significant.

They included a 15cm blood clot on his brain and third degree burns on his hands.

Hugo Kulcsar inspired Wallabies great Owen Finegan, who knows the youngster personally after coaching his junior rugby team (pictured, in the 1999 World Cup final)

Fast forward to 2024 and Hugo is cancer free – and well aware he is one of the lucky ones.

Finegan, who famously scored the final try for Australia in the 1999 World Cup final against France, has been inspired by Hugo’s journey.

‘I’m really proud of how resilient he is,’ he said.

‘He’s a great kid, in our community of sport he has inspired others just by the perseverance he’s shown.

‘But also the attitude he has with his teammates and what he offers teams.

‘The community around him was right behind him, supporting him, and now he’s out there doing his thing and making them proud, it’s been amazing.’

Hugo was also recently announced as an ambassador for the 2024 Better Challenge, which aims to raise money for young cancer patients.

Focus for those taking part is 3km of exercise per day across the month of September.