CSU'S new first grade coaching combination of David Conyers and Peter Koen don't just share an ambition to get their team to the top of the New Holland Agriculture Cup table, they share plenty of match time.
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The former Parramatta Shute Shield teammates were brought back together to lead the students this season, as the club bids for another finals appearance in the second tier Central West Rugby Union competition.
Conyers has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with CSU, assisting where he can in between the overseas coaching stints he's been a part of over the last decade.
Now he's in a position where he can focus on a full-time role with the club and is excited to see what a new group of players can bring to the table in Saturday's home opener against the Blayney Rams.
"It's a nice change to see numbers. In past seasons we've seen a struggle for numbers but we had 43 players up there on Tuesday night, which is pretty special, and everyone seems really committed," Conyers said.
"Blayney will be in a similar situation to us. They've got a lot of younger guys as well who are finding their feet.
"There's a lot of new guys to rugby at the club and there's an education process in place for them. There's probably 10 or so guys there in the first grade side there that are regulars plus some new guys to have a look at who are unknown quantities."
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Conyers said being able to reforge a partnership was Koen was a complete shock to the system.
"I walked up there the first week of practice and I saw a guy standing around. It wasn't until I got up close to him that I realised who he was," Conyers said.
"Peter and I played rugby together at Parramatta in 1980 and I haven't seen him since then.
"Nearly 40 years later we end up at the same field coaching the same team. He's just moved up here from Sydney. It's a great feeling to reconnect with somebody."
While undoubtedly the loss of Central West representative fullback Lochie Robinson is a big blow to the students they've retained plenty of last year's core group.
CSU's experienced centre pairing of Jack Keppel and Regan Hughes are back for another season while Harry Hunt will fill Robinson's place at fullback.
Forwards involved in last year's preliminary final starting side who are back for another season are Sean Pianca, Kam Norris, Aiden Kennelly and Fale Liva.
The first grade match starts from 3.15pm at University Oval.