By Nick Kelland

If you were a bona-fide follower of the Shute Shield, you’d have been a brave punter to have put Sydney University too far up North in your pre-season predictions.

In 2017, they didn’t reach the Shute Shield finals for the first time since 1998. This, coupled with the loss of veterans Tom Carter and Tom Kingston, and the appointment of new head coach Rob Taylor meant that a young new backline was going to be tested from week one of season 2018.

Fast-forward six rounds, and they sit second, only two points behind a red-hot Northern Suburbs outfit, who, funnily enough, are the only side who have been able to topple them this season; courtesy of a 26-32 thriller in Bowral.

One of those members of the young backline that has impressed many through the first six rounds is outside centre Guy Porter. Chatting to Rugby News during the week, he was understandably excited about the form of the new-look side.

“It’s been a good test for us so far considering our round one backline had about 20 or so first grade caps between us. If you consider that Tom Carter alone had 216 this time last year, it probably puts into perspective how fresh we are as a group.”

“That being said, having Henry Clunies-Ross back these last few games has been great. He’s got good experience from both playing in France, and the exposure to sevens rugby he’s had.”

Porter was also full of praise for his more experienced forward pack, and the impact that new coach Rob Taylor was having on the playing group.

“Rob has been great. We’ve been exposed to his coaching style, playing together at colts level for the last few seasons. To have him with us in grade is a huge help.”

“We’re also pretty lucky to be playing behind a forward pack that’s been performing so well. Having guys like Rohan (O’Regan), Dules (Dave McDuling) and Brad (Wilkin) lead you out each week definitely takes a lot of the pressure off.”

Any doubts about their premiership credentials were quashed on Saturday, when they pummelled Manly 45-13 in the performance of their season thus far. According to Porter, it’s a case of “more of the same” in order to get the points against an enigmatic Eastern Suburbs outfit come this weekend.

“This week is no different in the sense that we’re building during the week on the product we can run out on Saturday. Rob (Taylor) expects us to think on the run and play it how we see it which is exciting.”

“It means we can have a really high skill-focus during the week but the pressure is then on to pull it off on Saturday and hopefully we can do just that down at Woollahra.”

For Porter himself, his time in the game since graduating from the Scots College in 2014 has been a tumultuous one.

An NRC debut for the Sydney Stars in 2015 was followed by a progression of frustrating injuries that put his rugby firmly on the back-burner. The second half of 2017 saw him earn a richly deserved first grade debut, as well as a contract with the Sydney Rays in the same season.

Come round six of 2018, and he’s relishing the opportunity to string together consistent performances each round.

“Spending time out injured becomes a pretty insular existence after a while so as awesome as it to be back playing rugby I am also just enjoying being part of the team week to week.”

“Stringing together a few weeks training really helps and the fact that we’ve been playing some decent rugby at the moment is positive. We know the challenge ahead of us is pretty monumental, and we’re keen to see what it has in store for us.”

A crowd of more than 3000 is expected to pack into Woollahra Oval on Saturday as Eastern Suburbs celebrate their annual Ladies Day and raise funds for the Royal Hospital for Women.

Tickets are still available for the Ladies Day marquee, with plenty of food, drinks and entertainment to be provided before and during first grade fixture at 3pm.