New Holland Cup: Just like 2019, CSU will host Mudgee in the preliminary final

Just as was the case in 2019 when Conyers guided CSU to New Holland Cup glory, the students missed a direct path to the 2021 grand final.

Two years ago it was Narromine who beat them in the major semi-final, last Saturday it was Parkes who prevailed 31-19 in the qualifier.

Now CSU faces a battle for survival against Mudgee in the preliminary final at University Oval this Saturday.

The Wombats are the side the students beat 32-29 in the same match at University Oval in 2019 before going on to beat Narromine in the grand final at Cale Oval.

"You couldn't re-write the script more the same if you tried, it's unbelievable," Conyers said.

"We got it handed to us a bit in a way on Saturday and we've got to get through Mudgee which is what happened in 2019 and if we win that, it's off to another far away place for a grand final.

"Second grade went to Mudgee on Sunday and they got knocked out, so that was identical to what happened two years ago too."

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If CSU is better the Wombats and join Parkes in the grand final, they will have to do so without star prop Lamarn Ma'a after he damaged his posterior cruciate ligament early in the major semi-final.

"We didn't play that badly against Parkes, losing Lemarn eight minutes in was a destabiliser for sure and we haven't got a lot of front rowers on the bench, so that really effected our interchange plan because he's been playing 80 minutes," Conyers said.

"It meant we were only able to give Burrell short rests and Buckton had to move to the front row and play the full 80 minutes ... it effected out whole mentality.

"But we had a similar instance losing a key player back in 2019 a week out with Nick Plunkett, so we'll find a way to adapt to it.

"The boys are still pretty focussed."

CSU's forward pack has done a good job in their two clashes with the Wombats so far this season - games the students won 29-17 and 29-21.

Conyers believes if his pack can overcome the loss of Ma'a and again match the Wombats in that aspect of play, then CSU's talented back line can give them the edge.

"I watched them for a bit there on Sunday when they beat Rhinos in the minor semi-final, they've got a good forward pack so our backs will be the strength against them," he said.

"Our forwards have matched them this season and the boys will be pretty hungry to redeem themselves, we don't want to let all that hard work we've done during the year come undone by not making the big one.

"We all watched the game [major semi] and I asked all the guys to watch their own performance and come up with four or five things we can improve on, it will be a bit of group exercise to fix it."

Conyers has drummed into his players that 2019's campaign is proof what self belief can achieve.

"It's never say never, footy is a funny thing and the ball might bounce our way next time, we are due for a bit of luck that way," he said.

Kick-off in the preliminary final is 3.15pm.

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