An impressive six Sydney University representatives have been selected by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans in the Australian Rugby Union 40 man training squad.
Five-eighth Berrick Barnes (capped 26 times for the Wallabies) joins five other Sydney University players from last weekend’s Shute Shield Final in the squad, including halfback Luke Burgess (27 caps), hooker Nathan Charles (uncapped), blindside flanker Ben McCalman (4 caps), and second-rowers Dave Dennis (uncapped) and Dean Mumm (29 caps).
In particular the selection for Barnes, who scored 26 points for the Students during their 46-6 thrashing of Randwick last weekend, caps off a fantastic couple of days
The squad of 40 will be cut to 36 players on October 14.
The Wallabies touring party will play Tests against New Zealand, Wales, England, Italy and France in October and November.
The selection of six players in the Wallabies squad caps off a massive season for Sydney University rugby, which included a sixth consecutive First Grade premiership, Colts Firsts and Seconds Grand Final victories, a fourth consecutive club championship and the first Women’s premiership in almost 40 years.
In difficult conditions last Saturday in the Shute Shield decider, the Students scored one converted try and kicked three penalty goals, to establish a crucial 16-6 half-time lead. Sydney University then blew Randwick off the park in the second half, scoring four further tries.
It was the sixth premiership on the trot for the Students – a Tooheys Cup in 2005, followed by five Shute Shields – equalling Randwick’s effort from 1987-92.
Two weekends ago Sydney University’s First and Second Grade Colts again successfully defended their crowns at Concord Oval, while Third Grade was defeated 35-12 by West Harbour in their Final.
First Grade Colts defeated Eastwood 32-17 to claim a fourth successive title, their eighth in nine years- scoring four tries to one. Second Grade Colts have now won five straight Premierships, defeating Gordon 31-3 and scoring three tries in the process. Sydney University won the Colts Championship for the eighth time in nine incredible years.
Sydney University’s Women’s team capped off a remarkable weekend with a 23-10 victory over Warringah. Leading by just five at the half-time break, the Students came out strongly in the second half, and went on to score eight points to nil in the second half, to comfortably take the title.
The full Wallabies 40 man training squad is:
Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Nathan Charles, Mitchell Chapman, Quade Cooper, Ben Daley, Rod Davies, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Huia Edmonds, Rocky Elsom (capt), Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Peter Hynes, Van Humphries, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Sekope Kepu, Richard Kingi, Salesi Ma’afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, James O’Connor, Pat O’Connor, David Pocock, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Matt Toomua.
