By MARK CASHMAN

It’s a story that not many people in the Shute Shield are across but it had Southern Districts coach Todd Louden beaming with pride as he finalised preparations for his side’s vital Round Eight match against Randwick on Saturday.

The name Sam Tabuatamata came up earlier in the week when Louden named him as his open side breakaway to take on the Wicks after he had spent most of the season on the wing.

In the modern game that’s probably not unusual as speed and the ability to carry the ball well in traffic are givens.

But Louden revealed to Rugby News that ‘Tabs’ is in remission after a battle with leukaemia over the past couple of years.