Sydney University
Vs
Manly
18 July 2025
By Bruce China Lin
Where would you be on a cold winter Friday night? Easy, the birthplace of Australian rugby at Camperdown. With their season on the line University had a stirling victory over the resurgent Manly Marlins with a dominant 45-24 victory.
But the euphoria of the victory did not look optimistic after two minutes had elapsed. A split ball along the backline saw a regather and kick through by Manly. Everyone in the grandstand thought the ball would dribble into touch but some mysterious force unknown to mankind blessed the bouncing ball to take a leg break. Manly outside centre Simon Kennewell the former University player thought it was Christmas in July as he followed through scooped the ball up to score.
But tonight was not an occasion to drown in melancholy as University captain Connor O’Shea instilled in his teammates to refocus delivering a Churchillian like *Gettysburg address which was read to him in bedtime stories by his St Joseph’s College drama master father Pat.
The crowd did not wait long for University redeeming themselves. Attacking within the Manly quarter the ball from a ruck was spread to the open. Rapid fire hands shuffled the ball and fullback Jack Matthews made the extra man by running hard scoring under the posts.
The Matthews try was the catalyst for University to continue the pressure. Halfway through the first half a five metre lineout resulted in the half human, quarter bison quarter bovine hooker Declan Moore scoring his signature rolling maul try. Scoreline was 14-5 but it was still early days in the half. Manly were not shell shocked and hit back with a try after exploiting an exposed northern touchline with a massive looping cut out pass. Manly had crept back to only trail 14-12 but then that man with size 16 boots without socks secondrower Clem Halaholo decided to be the party pooper.
University were able to camp themselves inside the Manly five metre zone. The Students machine like rucking regime was pummelling Manly to the goaline. Big Clem drove from a ruck and quite easily filleted a pod of marlins before him to score another Jack Matthews converted try. The valuable buffer was achieved on the cusp of halftime. A five metre scrum was set. University halfback Irish soda bread ambassador Alan Bennie passed to the open. A ruck was formed and University’s utility forward Dane Terekia smashed over a Manly defender. A gap was formed and the ball was passed to a rampaging number eight Leafi Talataina who scored under the posts for a nice lead at halftime of 28-12.
After an early hiccup University found their rhythm and continued amassing points and a guaranteed bonus point with a four try haul. The backs were looking sharp and the blue and gold forwards were relentless. Dane Terekia especially was making some big tackles and straightening play with hard running.
The second half was a repeat of the first with Manly exploiting an exposed blindside with a fast rush for a converted try. But the best try of the night soon came. Manly were attacking inside the University half. Manly fumbled the ball but it was knocked back. The bobbing ball was towed through. Terekia was jostling for the ball shoulder to shoulder with the Manly hooker. Terekia was able to tow through again. Bennie in support regathered and then it was a process of putting the ball through the hands. Manly were disorganized in defence and when the ball reached the machine winger Benjy Joseland it was bye bye goodnight. There was still thirty minutes left in the game but University were comfortably ahead at 35-17.
Manly did score a rolling maul try now bolstered in the pack by former Wallaby massive secondrower Caydern Neville who looked like a reincarnation of Chesty Bond from the underwear commercials of yesteryear.
But the *spondulicks moment arrived five minutes from the end. Attacking from the Manly twenty two metre area University went open. Replacement five eighth Sam Bignold decided it was appropriate to take on the tiring Manly defensive line. With a step that would make latino crooner Ricky Martin take notice, Bignold easily waltzed over for a swan dive try. The match ended at 45-24 after a late University penalty and University’s semifinal hopes are still alive. The girls from Wollongong comprising of Phoebe, Amelia and Keira head coach Louden’s daughter were not only delirious but deciding where to party on without incurring a cover charge- good luck!
A pumping dressing room after the game heralded a few milestones. The University club truly has an international streak to it. Departing winger Toshiki Kuwayama is returning to Japan after a whirlwind cameo appearance. Safe travels Toshi and come back soon. Visiting Irish halfback Alan Bennie was thriving in his run on debut. “ The craic is incredible here under lights. Great to get a win like this and I’m loving playing here.” Goal kicking whiz Jack Matthews a Moree expatriate was equally on cloud nine. “It was so bloody good to get that win tonight.”
Head coach Todd Louden was cool calm and collected with the teams performance.”With all the disruptions, injuries it was just incredible for the guys to dig really deep and come away with such a good win. Our defence was outstanding.”
The positive night would be remiss if there was not a recognition of the pulsating curtain raiser. In a top of the table clash, a see sawing battle that went down to the wire University defeated an undefeated Manly 42-35. Well done to coaches Ryan Rat Burge, Albert Jensen and the sublime management of Irish-South African icon Keiran Devlin and the legendary Gavin the kid Crawford.
The mission to keep rolling is still hard next week when we trek to the plains of Granville. University play their bogey side over the last three seasons the unpredictable Western Sydney Two Blues at that graveyard to many visiting teams the Eric Tweedale stadium.
*Gettysburg address – President Abraham Lincoln’s stirring 272 word address viewed as one of the most famous, enduring and historically significant speeches in American history.
*Spondulicks – Antiquated word for ‘cash’ has not been used since the 18th century.