Sydney Uni prop Paddy Tagg is confident increased depth and cohesion can help the Students end a two-season finals drought. 

After winning the 2022 premiership, Uni have finished eighth and seventh in recent years, just short of the top six, but Tagg and his teammates at Camperdown seem confident that can change in the months ahead. 

“Last week we had a session down at the Wanda sand dunes as a whole club, which is never much fun for a prop,” he said. 

“But looking around, you could see lots of new faces and a lot more depth across our grade, colts and women’s squads, which is something we’ve lacked a little over the last few years. 

“There’s also been a big focus on our cohesion throughout preseason as well so hopefully those new faces feel comfortable and confident in what we’re doing as a group.

“You can’t afford to have a slow start and build into the Shute Shield season and we’re looking to avoid that and start strong come round one.”

Tagg spent two seasons in the Junior Wallabies set up after graduating from Cranbrook and spent time in the Western Force academy in recent years. 

Now 23, he’s edging closer to his prime at the front of the scrum. 

“I’ve had two years in first grade now but in prop years, I’m still a baby. 

“The level of props in the competition gets stronger and stronger every year and it’s always really tight at set piece time, which is helping all of us develop. 

“At Uni, we’ll also have guys like Brad Amituanani and Dan Botha come back into our squad from the Waratahs at some stage, so that creates competition for spots in first grade.”

The prop recently finished a finance degree and is splitting his time between rugby and helping his family launch a restaurant in the Sutherland Shire. 

But professional rugby is still the goal for the talented front rower. 

“Todd (Louden) speaks a lot about owning your craft and for me, that’s scrummaging. I’m still in the early stages, but I really want to build my skillset and for props, that usually comes with time and extra reps. 

“I’m also working hard on my ball carrying and my work around the park this year so I can contribute as much as possible.”

Uni face West Harbour, Randwick, Warringah and Gordon in the opening month of the Shute Shield season and Tagg seems confident fans will see a different Uni side in 2025. 

“I think you’ll see a big change from us this year. As I said, we’ve had a big focus on depth and cohesion and that’s probably impacted how we’ve finished games in recent years. 

“At this stage, we’re in a good position to start the season well and I think there will be some new faces at Uni that really impress.”