Sydney Uni skipper Angus Allen credited the club’s next generation for helping deliver the Australian Club Championships back to Camperdown for the second time in four seasons. 

On a hot day in Brisbane, Sydney Uni scored 26-unanswered points in the final 30 minutes to defeat 2022 Hospital Cup premiers Wests 45-19. 

“The first half was really physical. Wests have a really big pack so early on it was fast, physical and tough,” the stand-in skipper told Rugby News. 

“It was also really hot up there and I think everyone was feeling it. 

“In the second half, we got some fresh legs off the bench and we were able to get on top of them and earn the victory.”

With just three players from last year’s grand final winning starting side returning for the annual interstate fixture, Allen said it was the club’s younger players off the bench that turned the match. 

“A lot of those guys have been around the club for a while now. Lots played second grade last year, but there were also a couple colts as well. 

“Tas Smith was really impressive at No.9. He’s been at the club for a while but spent last year over in the US playing with the Gilitini’s. 

“Conor O’Shea at flyhalf also looked really good. He’s probably 26 or so now and has been around for a while but he’s had a terrible run of injuries over the years. It’d be great to see him stay on the park and show everyone what we know he can do over a full season. 

“Maxxy Von Appen came off the bench and played about 50 minutes at No.8. He’s Zac’s younger brother and was playing first grade colts last year but looked really impressive in grade. He put in a big shift. 

“We also had Joey Fowler and Jullien Cailloli come on at 10 and 12 in the second half. They are both fresh out of school last year and didn’t take a backwards step playing against some big boys from Wests. 

“I think that experience will put all of those young guys in good stead for the year ahead.”

The Students attention will now turn to the start of the Shute Shield season in just under a month’s time and early season clashes against Norths, Warringah, Hunter and Western Sydney. 

“I think our starting side will be pretty similar to what we saw on Saturday. There are still a handful of positions up for grabs though, particularly in the backline. 

“Most of the forward pack had played a fair bit of first grade but we had a few injuries on Saturday so we’ll have to wait and see how that impacts things. 

“Jack McCalman will be back in the fold once he comes back from injury. He’ll captain the side but I really enjoyed the opportunity to be captain on Saturday. 

“A lot of the guys weren’t part of last year’s grand final team, so for us, Saturday was all about honouring the team that did do the job in the Shute Shield last year and putting in a performance that they could be proud of and I think we were able to do that.”

Allen said he was expecting another tight Shute Shield season in 2023 but seemed confident the Students would be back in the mix, despite losing two thirds of their starting side from last season. 

“It’s going to be another exciting year and there won’t be many easy games,” the forward said. 

“There are a lot of Waratahs at Easts. They haven’t been able to do it previously, but on paper they’re looking really strong, particularly when they get everyone back. 

“Norths have also done a fair bit of recruiting from what we’re hearing so they’ll be strong. Then Gordon as well will be up there.”

Last year’s premiers will face last year’s minor premiers at North Sydney Oval in round one on the opening weekend of the Shute Shield season in just 24 days time. 

“Round one against Norths at Norths, it’s a pretty tough start to the year but I think everyone is really looking forward to it.”