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.

“I love ‘Tabs’ and his attitude to life, he’s just such a special person,” Louden said.

“Sometimes he says to me that he doesn’t know what the future holds so he just rips in and lives life in the moment.

“When I spoke to him to ask if he was keen for a crack in the No.7 jersey he just said ‘yep love to, bring it on’.

“If all us had his attitude it would be a pretty special world.”

Louden added: “He’s played there before and give us some speed in that area for this game against Randwick.

“We’ve got some good No.6s and No.8s at the club but a few of our No.7s are injured at the moment so we thought that it was an ideal chance to see if the move is a goer and have look at ‘Tabs’.

“Viliami Latu is also going well on the edges and he deserves a go in first grade.”

Souths will use Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, who has been signed by the Waratahs after time in Japan, from the start of the match at Coogee Oval.

Warren-Vosayaco is on limited minutes this week as part of his return to the Shute Shield and that is easier to manage at the start of games.

Souths forced their way into the Shute Shield top six last weekend with a critical home win over Manly at Forshaw last Saturday.

They jumped out of the blocks well and were 20-plus points ahead until the Marlins staged something of a comeback.

There were signs of some cohesion in the backs with Tyzac Jordan and Myles Thoroughgood working well at No.9 and No.10 while Christian Kagiassis made a huge early contribution from the left wing.

That is where Louden sees his talents best used and it’s hard to argue after his display against Manly.

Randwick are only the one point short of the top six and like Souths need to get their season humming.

Losses at this point of the season are not good for momentum and the Wicks could do with some of that.

Randwick coach Ben McCormack said his side would have to manage the running game of hooker Andrew Tuala.

“South’s will be tough – they’ve got a big physical pack led by Andrew Tuala who’s been in great form this year,” McCormack said.

“Not sure on Sam T but Todd Louden knows what he’s doing so I’m sure he will do a job there.

“Tyzac Jordan and Freddy Dorrough are Randwick lads who went South in the search of more consistent first grade time which they are getting and playing well so the battle will definitely have some feeling in it.

“The forward pack that dominates will win the game.”

IMAGE: MALCOLM CHUCK / SOUTHERN DISTRICTS