Shute Shield 2020: Sydney Uni’s Nicholas Champion de Crespigny on top tryscorers list
Like most players with Super Rugby aspirations, Nicholas Champion de Crespigny is keen to get noticed. But never in a million years did he expect this to happen.
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If there was one list Nicholas Champion de Crespigny didn’t expect to feature on in the Shute Shield this season it’s the one he is actually on.
The Sydney Uni player is among the top try scorers in the club rugby competition after four rounds of play much to his amazement.
“I’ve scored more in these rounds then I did in the entire 2019 season so I’m a little surprised,” said Champion de Crespigny, who progressed through the Colts program at Sydney Uni before becoming a regular in first grade.
“I only got one try all season last year.
“I’m not a try scoring machine but I’ve had a bit of luck.”
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While Ed Craig, Brandon Quinn, and Max Douglas lead the tally with four tries each, champion Champion de Crespigny is in good company with three tries from his outings for the Students this season.
The 24-year-old was raised in Canberra before moving to Sydney to do an economics degree and further his rugby ambitions.
After time with the Rebels, he also spent a pre-season with the Waratahs before pulling on the jersey for the defending Shute Shield champions.
“I had interest overseas but I though playing in front of the coaches is the best place to be,” he said.
“I’m a proud Sydney Uni guy as well.”
Now working as a coach at Newington College, Champion de Crespigny’s passion was for rowing until his final year of school where rugby took over.
His goal is to return to the Waratahs program and work towards Super Rugby.
“The Shute Shield is the only way to impress,” he said.
“I think we are very fortunate to be playing football,” he said.
Sydney University take on Southern Districts in round five of the Shute Shield this Saturday.
The Students are one of only two teams who have one or four of the opening matches.
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