Charles Sturt University's (CSU) partnership with the CSU NSW Country Eagles has been a success regardless of the outcome of tonight's National Rugby Championship semi-final, according to CSU Student Engagement Manager Mr Niklaus Granger.

"It has been a good season, but two more wins will make it a great season," he said.

"But for the Charles Sturt University NSW Country Eagles to have made the semi-finals in the inaugural season of the competition is a huge achievement, and everyone at the University – students, staff and the community – will be wishing them well tonight."

The two-year partnership was announced before the season kicked off in August, and was designed to build aspiration for higher education in rural and indigenous students, and to provide current CSU students opportunities for workplace learning.

Bachelor of Exercise Science / Bachelor of Business Studies student Mr Will Griffiths was one of the CSU students to be involved with the team this year. He said his experience working with team management built on previous work placements he had undertaken with CSU.

"What helped a lot was using my experience working with a similar professional sporting team (the Sydney Thunder) during my Professional Placement through my Exercise Science degree, and putting what I had learned through that degree, and my time at the Sydney Thunder to good use," he said.

"I consider it a good starting point and a foot in the door to the sports management industry which is where I would like to head, and I believe my degree has helped enormously."

Bachelor of Physiotherapy student Mr Tom Burge was another student involved with the team.

"The experience just gave me a closer insight into more elite sport and the roles and expectations of the physiotherapist in this role," he said.

Mr Granger said the partnership had been especially beneficial to the students directly involved with the team, but had also captured the imagination of the broader University community.

"For the CSU NSW Country Eagles to have made the semi-finals in a competition boasting some extremely professional sides is a fantastic achievement," he said.

"We'll all be glued to the telecast tonight and hoping they can go all the way to the grand final next weekend."

The CSU NSW Country Eagles finished the season in second place, with six wins from eight games and 27 points. Brisbane City finished the season in third place, with six wins but one less bonus point.

The two teams will play in the first semi-final at Central Coast Stadium, Friday 24 October, from 7.35pm. Entry is free for CSU students.