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The 2011 rugby season has given me the unexpected pleasure of watching a rugby team as they progressed towards a perfect season. In the era of the consistently, inconsistent Wallabies and Waratahs, it was a welcome change.
Last Sunday, this team achieved it; the perfect season. The team is the Sydney University second grade Colts team (U20s).
They defeated a very brave Eastwood 22-7 in the Grand Final and defined perfect as follows:
1. Regular Season: Played 22 games, won 22 games, scored 22 bonus points, points for was 957, points against was 119 (average result: 44-5)
2. Semi-final: 36-7 (six tries)
I have never seen or heard of such an overwhelming performance before. Several teams have had undefeated seasons, but never a perfect season.
The Sydney University Colts 2011 playing group had their fair share of injuries during the season. At one point, there were 32 players on the sideline.
Rarely did the second grade Colts team field the same players from week to week. With all three Sydney University colts teams in the Grand Finals, there was no stacking of the seconds or any other team.
For the record, Sydney University Colts won all three colts competitions, first grade Colts 35-12, second grade Colts 22-7 and third grade colts Colts 24-12. In other words, no stacking.
The university second grade Colts team achieved perfection by consistently playing a style of rugby that any professional rugby team would be proud to call their own.
It revolved around pressure throughout the game. Massive physicality in every part of the game, a low error-rate and an 80 minute performance every week, made this team impossible to defeat.
None of their opponents could match them for long enough to beat them.
Several opponents managed to score first. But, this team never changed its approach. It just kept playing this overwhelming rugby.
They never slowed down, dropped their high standards of performance or allowed bench players to dilute the effort. The team overcame the individual in all instances.
The players clearly enjoyed themselves. There was lot of harmless, but funny stuff throughout the season.
In the final round of the competition proper, they won 83-0 against Waringah, the ninth ranked team, in another 80 minute performance.
This team had some very good players but no standouts. Their strength was in their being a team.
Another team to approach perfection were the eventual winners of the New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union Division One Colts (under 21s) competition, the Barbour Cup winners, St Pats Old Boys.
In the regular season, they played 18, won 18, won 12 bonus points, scored 541 and conceded 155 points.
They lost just one game, the major semi-final to the eventual runners up, Mosman.
In the Grand Final, the St Pats defensive line was literally impregnable for the entire game. No matter what Mosman did in attack, they looked up and that defensive line was still there, in full, in alignment and in the perfect structure for the next attack.
It was an awesome performance by St Pats and almost perfect.
Mention should also go to the Suburban Rugby Union Division two Hunters Hill Colts team. They recorded 18 wins from 18 games, received 16 bonus points and scored 737 points to 210 conceded.
Unfortunately, they lost the major semi-final and Grand Final to St Ives 22-12 and 31-29 respectively.
In a rugby dominated year that has had an elongated super rugby programme and another Australian team, a Queensland Reds win in Super Rugby, the Wallabies winning the Tri Nations and a hugely successful Rugby World Cup to date due to the likes of Romania, Ireland, Wales, Samoa, Canada and USA narrowing the gap with the front-runners, the Sydney University second grade Colts is another jewel in the crown of this often complex and technical team sport.
I am not sure what this team can do next season to follow up this mighty effort. I invite you tell us all about other teams that have achieved a perfect season.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.