CSU has survived two weeks of sudden-death finals rugby in style, but come this Saturday's Ferguson Cup preliminary final against Orange Emus the students expect to be pushed to the limit.
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After finishing the regular season in fifth, CSU has defeated Mudgee (72-12) and West Wyalong (47-7) in convincing fashion in the past fortnight to keep its hopes of a second consecutive grand final appearance alive.
But the minor premiership winning Emus outfit will be just as hungry to advance and will have the advantage of playing Saturday's qualifier on their home turf at Endeavour Oval.
It means CSU coach Dom Huggett has stressed the importance of his side being switched on from the opening whistle and maintaining that intensity across the entire 40 minutes.
"We know Emus are a very solid and consistent side, so I think we will have to do what we normally do in attack and in defence, we just have to try to hold them out," Huggett said.
"Our starts are really important, we need to get on the front foot. So far we have been with this side, the start of the game you just want to hold onto the ball, see where the errors are in the other side and target it.
"We need to build our phases, but we're happy to tie them down in defence and not give them much."
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Though on different sides of the draw during the regular season, Huggett and his players have some idea of what to expect on Saturday given they met Emus in a round nine crossover match. The greens won that contest 26-22.
Huggett feels they play a similar brand of rugby, but concedes Emus "have got a bit more pace out wide."
"When we versed them we had a few players out of position and obviously Bridie Gordon wasn't playing, but we did put them to the test. I thought they were on an off day, but it was good to see what they do," he said.
"They love a bit of unpredictable kicks, especially near the line as well, but we've prepared for that.
"It will be a big game but we'll give them everything we've got."
CSU will be lifted by a large group of supporters who will watch their Feruguson Cup match before heading to Narromine to watch the first XV meet the Gorillas in the New Holland Cup decider.
Kick off is 10.30am.
