A big proportion of the squad will tour the United States this month as part of the build-up to the Games. The stormy waters of three consecutive defeats were left behind at University Oval on Saturday when Sydney University regained the tiller with a 41-12 disposal of Parramatta in their Round seven NSW club competition rugby union clash. The six tries to two win featured some wonderful passages of ensemble football between backs and forwards, some enterprising work from custodian Ed Carter, who is finally starting to use his considerable bulk to good effect from fullback, some solid scrummaging from the tight five which resulted in two turnovers, and a well rehearsed lineout with Daniel Vickeman at the fore. In fact, three of those elements resulted in the first try 10 minutes into the fray when University worked play into the red zone where Vickeman secured a lineout ball 10 metres out and Carter hit the gap from a Chris Malone cut-out pass to score under the posts. Simple, but effective if the runner hits the defensive hole at pace, with intent and on the gain line.
Some backs play entire careers without enjoying the experience.
Even worse, some coaches ruin entire generations of backs by not understanding the principles of flat line attack. Carter's try showed that is not the case at Sydney University. Five-eighth Malone added the first of his four conversions for the day. He also landed a penalty goal and crossed for a neat try down the short side with the faintest of dummies and a smile of satisfaction. University's second try followed an innovative play down the front of the lineout which sent Carter into the Parramatta quarter.