Dale McIntosh

Who is Dale McIntosh?

Dale Lynsey Manawa "Chief" McIntosh is a rugby union player. Born in King Country, New Zealand, he has become a cult hero in his adopted country of Wales. He received the nickname "The Chief" because of his physical resemblance to the Chief Bromden character in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

He first arrived in the country in 1989, settling in the Coed-y-Cwm area of Ynysybwl, following the path taken by his older brother Shane McIntosh. Very soon afterwards he joined Pontypridd RFC as a promising young forward.

Not content with simply being another squad member, however, McIntosh made a great impression in his first season at Sardis Road. Thanks to his Scottish father he was selected to play for the Scotland "A" side in 1992, but later opted to wait until his residential status meant he could play for Wales. He achieved this goal, playing for both Wales "A" and the full Wales international team, winning his one full cap against South Africa in 1996. Further international honours include several appearances for the world-renowned Barbarians team.

By the mid 1990s McIntosh had become one of the focal points of the Pontypridd RFC team both on and off the pitch. A strong back-row forward with good handling skills and a superb tackle, notably against Andy Robinson the former England Coach in a European Match against Bath Rugby Club at Sardis Road. He was a leader on the pitch and a hero on the terraces. He is also noted for the work he did within the youth structure of Pontypridd RFC, inspiring many of the current crop of young talent from the south Wales valleys.