Sydney University
Vs
Oxford University
9 January 2026
By Bruce China Lin
The phrase * Mad Dog’s and Englishmen came to fruition last Friday early evening. In heatwave conditions resembling a day in Mt Isa , Sydney University took on the touring Oxford University Rugby Club in their final match of their 2025-2026 tour down under.
Before a healthy crowd at unfamiliar Woollahra Oval, Sydney University defeated Oxford by a scoreline that could not be accurately ascertained as the scoreboard required new AA batteries.
Oxford with their youthful exuberance led by scrum half former SUFC alumni Jack Hamilton now completing doctoral studies in neuroscience started the game in fine fashion.
Within the first three minutes Oxford were attacking down the golf course side and flooded the blindside. Some rucking saw a crash ball towards the scoreboard corner for their first try. University were stung and a slight skirmish after the try allowed players from both sides to let off some festive season pent up testosterone.
Following some deep breaths behind the goal line, University commenced to construct phases of play and secure field position. One such phase saw University’s first try to once again the machine the fleet footed winger Benjy Joseland. Captain and outside centre Lukas Ripley attacked and drew defenders and looped a pass to Joseland positioned wide. Joseland who is an expat Englishman showed explosive pace to scorch along the eastern touchline to score.
Thereafter the scoreline fluctuated more than an American tariff. University had the upperhand but Oxford showed fortitude to always bounce back when down. Their tall number eight in the headgear was particularly impressive making inroads through University’s defensive line.
If only there was a Glebe market fortune teller in the crowd who could predict the final scoreline as tries came by the pallet loads.
Two tries in the second half did stand out to Oxford and University respectively. Attacking inside the University quarter the dark blues instead of moving the ball through the hands executed a cross diagonal kick to the golf course corner. With the precision of *Rudolf Nureyev the Oxford winger leapt into the air and regathered on the full to delicately tip toe down the touchline to score.
University’s final try was pure opportunism and some backing up. A ball was hoisted high by University from their half to relieve pressure. But Oxford probably through fatigue in the energy sapping heat allowed it to bounce. The ball was regathered by the kicker who’s name is unknown and will be referred to as John Doe. Doe regathered a bouncing ball and focused on motoring down to the goaline . Off his soulder in support was replacement inside centre Nemeki Namoa. Fearing being clobbered by the covering defence Doe passed to Namoa. With impressive speed the former Aucklander raced over into the corner for an excellent try.
In the spirit of rugby at the match conclusion all players congratulated each other and formed a huddle for a group portrait.
After the game hungry and dehydrated players replenished their bodies with a sausage sizzle cooked and served by the Schmude family. Is there anything that this family cannot do?
Head coach John Manenti was lighthearted about the days outcome,”Champagne rugby in summer.” Forwards coach Liam Winton was a bit more philosophical in his post match appraisal,”It’s only 9 January and understandably we were pretty rusty in areas, said Winton.”
For one of the touring Oxford players the score was not important. It was the experience touring down under which he will remember and will bode well for the upcoming varsity match versus the old foe Cambridge. Luke Newland the dark blues number seven hailing from Pontyprydd Wales had dodged the minus 7 degree frigid conditions of the Welsh valleys to play in Australia.”It was an incredible experience playing here today against the high calibre of Sydney University. We trained well during the week and we started the first half quite well. But as the second half continued we could not keep up with the power of University. Great crowd and ground today”, said Newland the history major.
The tradition of Oxford and Sydney University remains strong and no doubt this legacy will continue for many years to come.
*Mad dog’s and Englishmen- Phrase”mad dogs and Englishmen” refers to the perceived foolishness of English people who venture out into the midday sun, often used humorously to highlight their disregard for the heat.
*Rudolf Nureyev- was a Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer. Nureyev is widely regarded as the preeminent male ballet dancer of the 20th century, as well as one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time.