Sydney University
Vs
Warringah
01 /08/2026
By Bruce China Lin
Last Saturday the University brethren ventured to that intimidating rat chateau Warringah Rugby Park to battle last year’s premiers.
But there was good news and not so good news. Firstly the good news. University were victorious with an emphatic 48-26 victory! Now the sad news. The Shute Shield’s leading try scorer the machine Benjy Joseland only scored one try which compounded his distate towards odd numbers.
University were facing a formidable opponent. But the Student’s embraced the poignant words of University supporter, pro bono cultural attache and St Joseph’s College drama master Pat O’Shea-*Virtus in audaces!
That mantra materialised in their signature weapon of years gone by the five metre rolling maul . The surge of blue and gold hooped jerseys saw hooker Wallaby and Waratah Folau Fainga’a score in the south east corner.
The five points soon increased to ten points . Pressing inside the Warringah five metre zone University gained an advantage through the sin binning of the Rats halfback for a slap down ball. University decided to continue the pressure and recycling saw half back Olly Schmude release the ball to the blindside whereupon Joseland lurked for his corner touchdown.
10-0 University led but for how long?
After twenty minutes had been played Warringah finally registered points. A penalty was awarded outside University’s line. Warringah continued rucking and recycling and ultimately a barging try was secured. The conversion had them now trailing 10-7.
This try momentarily inspired Warringah. Ten minutes later Warringah took the lead. Once again pressing inside the University twenty two metre zone the blowtorch was lit. Their fullback Ben Marr stood at five eighth and dummied ghosted through the University defence to score an easy converted try. So in the space of ten minutes the green rat plague had infested the University camp.
They say only death, taxes and Dear Leader Kim Jong-Un’s girth are certainties in life. The game of rugby however is full of gobsmakingly gorgeous surprises!
From the kickoff University received a rugby defibrillation. The Warringah winger received the ball inside his quarter and executed an alleged clearing kick. Somehow the kick did not elevate above 1.8 metres and slammed into the knees of University inside centre Eddie Poolman. The corresponding deflection bounced right into the hands of trailing winger Tom Morrison. You could almost see Morrison saying with a smile“You dirty rat’s” to the desperate Warringah covering defenders and galloped into the corner for an easy touch down. University faithful were delirious with this converted try and a penalty at the end the first half to lead 17-14.
University continued their resolve to mount pressure on Warringah and it arrived after only two minutes of the second half.
The ball was spread from side to side. Joseland made a dart down the eastern side and was brought down. The ball then went open and was recycled. From a ruck the ball was passed to outside centre Boston Fakafanua. The nuggety back from a standing start resembled a human pin ball bouncing off a number of green Rats. With his pace Fakafanua scored for a converted try.
The Fakafanua try was significant as it seemed to have caused Warringah to drop their guard making mistakes and allowing the Students to pile on more tries.
Schmude scored a try before Warringah scored another barging try to trail 34-21.
But the University attack did not relent and the try of the match arrived . Warringah made a clearing kick and the ball was received deep inside his half by University fullback James McGregor. McGregor with mesmerising deception and pace weaved through a phalanx of Warringah defenders. The Rat’s defence had injested a *wabbit pesticide as they could not tackle the nippy fullback. University had a nice lead of 41-21.
The lead increased to 48-21after replacement halfback Jack Davis capitalised on a backpedalling five metre Warringah scrum.
Warringah scored a consolation try in the latter stages of the half but a significant 48-26 victory had been recorded by University.
The University attack was impressive whilst the twin towers second rowers Matt Philip and Nathaniel Panozzo stole many Warringah lineouts.
Head coach John Manenti was impressed with what had been achieved today,” I said to you earlier that we wanted to pull apart their set pieces which we did today. On the back of that we still scored impressive tries,” said Manenti.
The euphoric victory will mean little as the ultimate test beckons next week. University confront competition heavyweights Eastern Suburbs at their home Woollahra Oval.
*Wabbit – Not to be confused with a wascally wabbit. A Scottish term for exhaustion.
* Virtus in audaces – Courage belongs to the bold.