By Aaron Taylor

Sydney University host Randwick in a top of the table Intrust Shute Shield clash at the brand new University Oval this Saturday afternoon.

Coming off of a 50-14 win against Gordon, Randwick coach Shannon Fraser believes the clash will be a good measure of where his side is at, almost a month into the 2016 season.

“We’re looking at this week as just another game. We know we’ve got to win more games than we lose and we’ve got to match ourselves against the competition benchmark and very early on Sydney University has set that mark pretty high,” Fraser told Rugby News.

“The guys are pretty excited. You don’t have to motivate anyone when you play against the big and traditionally strong sides, so motivation is quite high and we’re really looking forward to having a good show.”

Fraser has made a number of changes ahead of Saturday’s match with 2015 Catchpole Medal winner Dave Horowitz expected to be named in the Waratahs side to play the Rebels on Sunday afternoon. Star back Andrew Kellaway has also been shifted from the wing to fullback.

“Andrew’s had a high priority with his Waratahs commitments to date and he’s been less involved at Randwick; so we’re transitioning him to the squad, he’s more familiar on the wing, but we see a great future for him at fullback and various other positions,” Fraser said.

“We’re very excited for what he can bring to the team at fullback there’s definitely an incredible skill set that will suit the way we want to play. It’s gonna’ compliment the full balance of the backline and the wider team.”

In their opening match of 2016, Randwick overcame a slow start to beat Parramatta 25-20 after trailing by 10 points late in the match.

“It’s one of those things where every game you learn something. While we weren’t as clinical as we’d like, we’ve got to give respect where respect’s due. Parramatta played very well and put on a lot of pressure and we suffered from that.

“What we learnt was our belief within the group and to remain calm and in control. That just allowed us to play ourselves back into that game,” commented Fraser.

The Galloping Greens conceded three tries from scrums five metres from their own line against the Two Blues, however Fraser doesn’t think his side’s set piece will be any issue throughout the year.

“There’s no major issue [with our set piece], it’s a mindset thing. We certainly came up against a very big pack with Parramatta and again credit where credit’s due they’re very good with their scrum.

“But we’ve focused on that as an area to continue to develop and this week we’ve continued with that and have had the luxury of having Mario Ledesma down at training to have a look over our scrum and work on it a little bit,” explained Fraser.

Randwick made it two from two on Good Friday, claiming a bonus point win over Gordon after capitalising on a penalty count well in their favour.

“Calls are going to come your way and they’re going to go the other way. But we’ve made a really conscious decision from last year. We gave away too many cynical penalties and a couple became quite costly as a result.

“We’re very conscious of operating within the laws of the game and certainly keeping balance within our temperament; so it’s pleasing to see that we’re on the right side of the penalty scale and it’s something that we’ll anticipate to do throughout the year.”

Randwick begin a crucial period of rugby this Saturday against the Students, ahead of back-to-back clashes against last year’s grand finalists, Eastwood and Manly, in the coming month.

Even this early in the season, Fraser said he understands how important results are in such a tight competition.

“We want to play an exciting brand of football both with the ball and without and continue to improve and make sure we’re better than the week before.

“But ultimately we can’t hide behind the fact that everyone plays for championships, so we’re looking for a top four spot and looking for a good position to push through to the final dance.”

Randwick travel to University Oval to play the Students this Saturday afternoon. Catch all the action live on 7TWO from 3pm.