By MARK CASHMAN

Sydney’s Uni’s new first grade boss Phil Blake says the Students will “expand” on their game in subtle ways over the next month or so.

Blake has been handed the keys to a machine that is purring along nicely at the moment following the exit of Rob Taylor and he signalled that maybe not change, but refinement was on the agenda.

Taylor is off to coach in Japan at the NEC Green Rockets and Saturday will be the first test for both Blake and the playing group when they take on the defending premiers Gordon at Camperdown.

Weather may dictate what happens against the Highlanders but Blake told Rugby News he was excited for what lies ahead.

“What we do against Gordon is heavily dependant on what the weather is like as it’s supposed to rain and blow pretty hard,” Blake said.

“But in coming weeks we will expand on what we have done so far and change a few things up.

“Those changes will be subtle but you will see some new things from us.”

Not that Uni need to do too much different after their unbeaten run through the first nine rounds of the Shute Shield competition.

They have brought a simple yet relentless style of footy to the competition and everyone that they have played so far has had trouble coping with it.

Blake had the bye week to get used to the new role and he said that they had had a productive couple of weeks.

One of the major planks of Blake’s role in the coming months will be to bring the returning Super Rugby players into the group’s vibe.

Waratahs squad hooker Tom Horton and prop Chris Talaki will come off the bench against the Highlanders and how Blake handles them (and others as they become available) will be vital to the continued excellence of the program.

“In some ways this is a game that both teams need at this stage of the season,” Blake added.

“Gordon have lost to Norths and Eastwood and don’t want to sustain another loss. They have come a long way in a short period of time and are well coached by ‘Billy’ (Brian Melrose).

“They will come prepared that’s for sure.

“On our side of things our players are well drilled and know exactly what they want to achieve this season.”

The Highlanders have been able to welcome back centre Joey Walton who injured himself playing for the Tahs earlier this year.

Injuries haven’t been great at Chatswood but one thing that the Highlanders have been able to do is to find a way.

And that’s what they will need to do at Uni on Saturday.

IMAGE: AJF PHOTOGRAPHY