While they have been a genuine chance of winning almost all their games, after six rounds of the New Holland Cup CSU sits in last place.

Keppel admits his side has struggled to close out games, but the faith the flyhalf has in his team-mates has not wavered. He still thinks they can take part in this year’s finals.

“I think we’re not used to winning together, we’ve been bashed around the last few years, but hopefully it starts coming and we can make the semis at least,” he said.

“If we can get over the slump that we’re in, I think we’ll get our mojo back and start winning games.

“Even when we got close to the good teams last year it was the same thing, we don’t know quite how to put them away when we should. We are so close, we are not far off, there have been so many games where it’s been like ‘How have we lost this game?’.

“But if we can turn those games into wins, that will get us into the semis and once we’re in the semis, I’m pretty confident we can beat anyone.”

The one rival CSU did manage to beat when the tension and pressure of a close contest built in the final minutes was the team they face this Saturday – the Mudgee Wombats.

Keppel potted a late long-range penalty goal to see CSU win that game by a point. 

This Saturday the students will be boosted by the return of fullback Lochie Robinson and forward Lachie Buckton and Keppel is expecting a good battle.

“They have got a really good forward pack, even last year they were pretty solid there. It’s their Old Boys day this week as well, we are playing at night, so I hope we don’t walk into a bit of an ambush,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be quite a tough game, but as long as we can win our own ball, I think our back line will be able to put them under a bit of pressure for sure … I’ve never won in Mudgee, so it would be nice to do that.”

Kick off is at 5.30pm at Mudgee’s Jubilee Oval.