There are plenty of fresh faces in the CSU team for the 2011 Central West Rugby Union season, but already the side has shown that with a bit of improvement they will be challenging for the title once again.
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After their 18-10 loss to Cowra last Saturday, the students are eager to avoid back-to-back losses when they come up against the Orange Emus tomorrow.
CSU will also lose some of their home ground advantage because University Oval is still having work done after its resurfacing and the game has been shifted out to Watson Oval at All Saints’ College.
Nine of the players in tomorrow’s squad weren’t playing regularly last season, but the majority of them have come through the grades at CSU and Grivas is pleased to see them fitting in well with the students’ style of play
One area that CSU have been hit hardest is in their front row with Charlie Croucher and Alex McKendry departing.
Former Emus colt Matt Finlay stepped in to fill one spot and Grivas the other for the opening round, but the coach is away this week and as a result Jesse Pavlovich will step up from seconds.
While it is a blow to lose such experience, Grivas believes that his team will be able to overcome it as the rookies get more time on the paddock.
“It [a dominant forward pack] is probably what we are building towards rather than having it straight up. Losing two country players is a real blow, but we have some good talent and they are coming through and getting their chance,” he said.
Pavlovich is a newcomer to first grade but has spent the last two years with the club and like many that have made the step up this season, he was part of the second grade side that won the 2010 competition in dominant fashion.
Second rowers John Palmer and Zander Williment have also come through the CSU development as did flanker Luke Gornalle, but Hugh Medway came through the colts system in North Sydney before moving out here and has impressed so far with his ability.
The students have been more stable in their halves and outside backs but they do have a couple of new recruits playing wide.
“Our outside backs are all players who have been here for a few years. Nathan Morris played a bit of first grade last year and Jack Garrad was the colts’ fullback and he is a very strong player,” Grivas said.
The coach was happy enough with the first round effort against Cowra, but he is expecting his side to improve.
“We want to see people develop. That was our first week as a team and first match at full strength, so it was a platform to build on. We will be looking to see some improvement in the coming weeks,” he said.
Assistant coach Mark Bokenham will look after CSU in Grivas’ absence when the side take on Emus at Watson Oval from 3pm tomorrow.
