New Holland Agriculture Cup: CSU will have their depth tested against Mudgee Wombats

It's something that CSU has to deal with each season and this Saturday the uni club will be forced into making several changes for their upcoming New Holland Agriculture Cup game at University Oval against the Mudgee Wombats.

The Mitchell were excited to send both Lamarn Ma'a and Lachie Buckton away to a successful Country Championships campaign for Central West last round but only the latter will be available this Saturday.

Ma'a is serving a blue card suspension due to a concussion suffered at the Tamworth tournament.

CSU coach David Conyers said his side will be tested.

"We had their measure last time but we've got a couple of guys out injured and with uni holidays starting we've got a few others unavailable," he said.

"Lamarn is out for two weeks due to a blue card but Lachie Buckton has returned alright. Our number 8, Sam Chamberlain, looks like he might have succumbed to a knee injury and one of our wingers, Charlie Tierney, is battling a shoulder problem.

"We're doing it a bit tough and I hope we don't suffer any more in our front row because we're really struggling as a club with that position.

"That whole front row has just about been made to play the full 80 minutes because we're down on firepower in that position. Luckily Lachie Buckton can play both second and front row, but he's had to go to the front this weekend due to Lamarn being out."

One factor for the students to consider ahead of the weekend's clash is Mudgee's lack of game time.

Wombats had the bye prior to the long weekend break and Lachy Brown was their only player who went away for Central West's campaign.

"Mudgee are traditionally are forward orientated team and have a strong scrum so we've just got to play a bit wider and give our backs the ball a lot more, because that's where we got them last time," he said.

"I think our fitness should be pretty good. We've been finishing quite strongly at the back end of our games."

CSU and Mudgee will get their first grade game underway from 3.15pm.

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