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<\/p>\nHe said it was \u201ca long shot, a stab in the dark\u201d to then apply for entry into Oxford.<\/p>\n
In addition to his outstanding tertiary qualifications, written submissions, and references, he was required to undergo an interview process. He was invited to spend a year studying for a Master\u2019s degree and has stayed for two more years to complete a PhD.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Oxford University skipper Jack Hamilton, an Australian studying neuroscience.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in between countless hours spent in lecture rooms, Hamilton found time to establish himself in Oxford\u2019s rugby team. This season, the former Newcastle Wanderers junior, who also played for Sydney University, has been honoured with the captaincy.<\/p>\n
He is the second Novocastrian to lead the Blues, following in the footsteps of Dave Lubans, now a professor at Newcastle University.<\/p>\n
As well as skippering Oxford next month in their annual Varsity clash with Cambridge \u2013 a rivalry that dates back to 1872 \u2013 Hamilton is also at the helm of their first tour of Australia in 30 years.<\/p>\n
They play Newcastle Uni on January 6 and Sydney Uni on January 9. The latter will be played for the Ian Tucker Challenge Cup, named after a 23-year-old Australian who died while playing for Oxford in 1996.<\/p>\n
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The Oxford University team have been staying at St Andrew\u2019s College on the Sydney University campus.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong<\/p>\n
Both of their opponents will undoubtedly feature their fair share of highly educated players, but Oxford is on another level.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my team, we\u2019ve got five or six guys who are studying at Oxford medical school,\u201d Hamilton explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got guys doing PhDs in physics, PhDs in cardio-respiratory science, guys that are doing high-level mathematics, poetry, English, biochemistry.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a real mix. They\u2019re all up-and-coming leaders in their fields, and they all study bloody hard.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Oxford University will play two matches on their tour of Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of our training sessions are outside of nine to five because the guys are in class all day, every day. We\u2019re in the gym at 6.30am so that everyone can be finished, showered and ready to go for the first lectures at 9am.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coach and general manager Ian Kench, who played for Oxford in 2008-09, laughed when he said: \u201cCan you imagine coaching them?<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first session here, I had to ask them to stop asking questions until the end of the session.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re opinionated, which is good, but it certainly makes it challenging as a coach. They\u2019re good men, but they have curious brains, and they want to know the rationale behind everything. They don\u2019t just do what they\u2019re told, like other teams I\u2019ve coached.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s good. It\u2019s made me a better coach.\u201d<\/p>\n