THEY spoke of sending a message to their rivals, and Sydney University ensured it was heard loud and clear with a clinical and comprehensive win over Warringah on Saturday night, securing the minor premiership for the second successive year.
With two rounds remaining, the defending champions are in ominous touch, and playmaker Daniel Halangahu said they were looking to make a statement with each match.
"We talked about sending out a message to other teams, and we felt like we did that against Gordon [42-5, in round 17] and again [on Saturday night], we were pretty happy with the way we played," said Halangahu, who scored 17 points in the 42-14 win under lights at University Oval.
Coach Damien Hill said it was their finest performance since early in the season.
Now University prepare to spread their message to rivals Randwick this weekend. The showdown between the two heavyweights has been marked on University's calendar since May 31 when the Galloping Greens escaped with a 26-23 win at Coogee Oval.
"Randwick are really tough to beat," Halangahu said, but added, "We want to reinforce our message.
"Having won the minor premiership, there is probably the opportunity for us to become a bit complacent and look towards the finals, but we've got to ensure that doesn't happen."
Hill, who has been forced to use 43 players in first grade this season, is particularly pleased with the development of younger members in the team, such as winger Ed Jenkins, breakaway David Fungalei and hooker Nathan Charles.
"We have had, like other teams such as Randwick, a lot of guys coming in and out of the side, and we still need time to build combinations," Hill said. "I think the main thing that has been letting us down is [lack of] time to get used to each other."
The Students have been the dominant force in club rugby in recent years and must contend each week with the pressure of being the benchmark, a factor Hill tries to ignore. "I look at tapes of teams before we play them and they come out and always play a level above that," he said. "It was the case last year as well, it's to be expected. I don't think about that too much. You can't control it."
A key to University's success lies with Halangahu, who has re-signed a one-year extension with the Waratahs for next season. While he produced a brilliant individual display in last year's grand final to earn man of the match, Halangahu is honing his skills as provider as he battles to win back the NSW No.10 jersey next year.
University fullback Nathan Trist scored a double against the Rats; Jenkins and centre Mitch Inman also crossed.
The club is on 86 competition points with a phenomenal points differential of plus 415.
Warringah remain in fifth place on the competition ladder, but are now only three points clear of West Harbour, who shocked second-placed Gordon 26-20.
The Rats are assured of a play-off position though, sitting 11 points clear of Eastwood, who can only score a maximum of 10 points in the next two weeks.
In other results, Randwick beat Northern Suburbs 54-32 at Coogee Oval; Eastern Suburbs continued their strong form with a 39-22 victory over Parramatta at Two Blues Park; and Eastwood remain an outside chance of featuring in the finals following a 62-24 win over Southern Districts at Forshaw Rugby Park.
