UNIVERSITY coach Tony Munro admits he faces a big task to get the Students up physically and mentally for the remaining two games of the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A depleted University were annihilated 106-7 by a rampant Wanderers at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
Former University halfback George Sinclair crossed for four tries, while teenage winger Liam Dalibozek finished with 31 points from a try and 13 conversions.
The Two Blues ran in 16 tries in total and scored 68 points in the second half.
"We lost Danny Murch and Va Talaileva on Saturday morning which took it to five senior players out," Munro said. "We had to bring guys up from third grade because we needed players in second grade to qualify for semis. It was men playing boys in the end and they were unstoppable.
"Wanderers were good but we were really poor. We didn't tackle and got out-muscled. When we got the ball we looked all right but I think we only touched the ball three times in the second half. They hurt us down right edge. They kept going there and we didn't adjust."
Next for the Students are defending premiers Hamilton.
"That will be the challenge this week - getting them physically and mentally ready," Munro said. "They have to take some ownership and responsibility for it."
Wanderers coach Dan Beckett described the performance as clinical.
"It meant a lot to the boys to be playing for the Brad Nichols Shield and Hawthorne Cup," Beckett said. "They were up for it and played some good rugby."
