Sydney University Football Club has 24 players on the books of Australia’s five Super 15 franchises, with all but six having had game-time in the first two rounds of the 2011 competition.
And 22 of the players emerged from the SUFC Colts system, before making their way into grade ranks and onto Super 15 rugby.
SUFC is well represented at the NSW Waratahs, who are unbeaten in the Super 15 this season. Waratah captain, flanker Phil Waugh, is a former SUFC Colt and Shute Shield grand final winner. Others to appear for the Waratahs this season include five-eighths Berrick Barnes and Daniel Halangahu, halfback Luke Burgess, inside-centre Tom Carter and flankers Dave Dennis and Dean Mumm.
Flanker Pat McCutcheon, the former Australian Sevens captain and SUFC club captain, is a likely replacement for Waugh, who suffered a bicep injury at the weekend, while props Jeremy Tilse and Paddy Ryan and centre Tom Kingston are also on the books.
Australia’s newest Super 15 franchise, the Melbourne Rebels, also has a large contingent of SUFC representatives. Second-rower Al Campbell, halfback Nick Phipps, prop Laurie Weeks, winger Lachlan Mitchell and fullback Julian Huxley have all had game time this season, while Rebels club captain, number eight Tim Davidson, and winger Peter Betham are also on the books.
At the Western Force, based in Perth, SUFC is represented by number eight Ben McCalman, hooker Nathan Charles and outside-centre Mitch Inman, who have had game time this year, along with flanker Jono Jenkins and winger Alfie Mafi, who are also on the books.
And prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa is on the books at the ACT Brumbies.
Barnes and Huxley are the only two not to come through the SUFC Colts ranks, although Barnes is now studying at Sydney University.
