Educated at St Bede's College, Nutbrown started his rugby career for Belfast Rugby Club from 1986 at the age of five until 2005.
He played for Canterbury 2003–2005, in the Air New Zealand Cup, before moving to Bay of Plenty, becoming one of Bay of Plenty's top players alongside New Zealand sevens representatives Solomon King, Nigel Hunt and Zar Lawrence.
Nutbrown was selected for an All Black trial in 2005 and in 2006 played for the Junior All Blacks in the Pacific Nations Cup.
In August 2008, he was signed by the Ospreys as injury cover for Mike Phillips, until Phillips returned from injury in late 2008.
The former Half-back/Scrum Half is now a referee for Canterbury and New Zealand Rugby Union.
