For Tom Lee his three years at the University of New England hasn't just shaped his career endeavours.
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Before lobbing in Armidale in 2016, the Tamworth second rower knew very little about rugby.
"I played league up until I was 16," the Lismore native recalled ahead of the Magpies' clash with Barbarians on Saturday, adding that he came from "a real league family".
"When I moved down for uni, rugby was what was pushed on me."
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He linked up with Armidale and had three enjoyable seasons with them.
After finishing up his studies, the 23-year old played in Port Macquarie last year.
Keen to continue his rugby journey, after relocating to Tamworth for a job as an agribusiness manager with the NAB, Lee sought out the Magpies.
"I had a mate ,Alex Barrett, who played with the Magpies (Barrett likewise previously played with the Blues), and I'd played against them when I was with Armidale," he explained.
He was also keen to stay in the New England comp.
Magpies coach Peter Burke said Lee has been "very impressive".
For his part Lee feels as he has been growing every game.
"I was trying to find my feet when I first started, playing in a new team and trying to develop new combinations," he said.
But as has been the case with the team itself, things are really starting to come together.
Last week against Robb College he produced arguably his best performance of the season and picked up the three points.
The Magpies host the Baa Baas in what will be an intriguing final round. All that is certain is that Walcha, Tamworth and Harbour Knights will finish one, two and three, although in what order will depend on results.
The Magpies sit second, a point behind Walcha, and could, if they win with a bonus point or the Rams lose, leapfrog them into first and host the major semi-final.
Conversely the Knights could jump ahead of them should they stumble against the Baa Baas.
Lee has a fair idea of what to expect from the Armidale side.
"They're always a physical team. When we played them with the Blues there was always that cross-town rivalry," he said.
He spoke about going in with the same mentality as they will look to next week, dominating the ruck and dominating in the scrums.
"Especially in the first 10-15 we really want to take them on in the forwards," he said.
Elsewhere Robb host Walcha, Armidale travel to Coffs Harbour and Albies tackle Glen Innes. The Blues and Albies are fighting it out for fourth, the students' mid-week win over college rivals Robb, moving them to within three points of the Blues.
