By MARK CASHMAN

Sydney Uni are refusing to get too far ahead of themselves now that their place in the final six has been settled.

Uni’s robust but far from perfect win over Northern Suburbs last weekend saw them make the playoffs, but coach Michael Hodge is thinking of anything but who they will play in the first round of the finals on October 17.

The Students could climb to as high as third if they beat the Western Sydney Two Blues on Saturday and a number of other games go their way but Hodge says finals is the last thing on their mind.

“We’re not focused on the ladder or thinking about next week’s finals series just yet,” Hodge said.

“It was nice to get the win last week (against Norths), but it certainly wasn’t a complete performance.

“There are areas of the game we still need to be better, and this week is focused on those.

“The Two Blues have a big pack and will take us on at scrum time. Last week, they proved they can be very dangerous in broken play and when they shift the ball to the edge.

“We’ll need to be aggressive in the tackle to stop any go forward from their big backrow and outside backs.”

For the Two Blues the big question for head coach Joel Rivers is how will their flyhalf Phil Pale cope on the big stage.

They lost the accomplished Rory Garrett in the first half of their loss to Eastern Suburbs last weekend at Lidcombe Oval and he will be missed.

Pale moved to the No.10 spot when Garrett went off with an ankle injury but his game management skills and kicking game is not where Rivers would like.

“We are just looking to finish on a positive note and again show we can compete with the top teams,” Rivers said.

“it would be great to get some points on the board but mainly the aim is to finish in a positive fashion which then makes our time off before pre-season a little easier to cope with.”

Tepai Moeroa was the Two Blues man of the match and Rivers will look to him to finish what has been an unusual season with some style.

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES (1-15):

Jacob Delailoa, Nick Blacklock, Kalafi Pongi (c), Tuitakaau Kioa, Irie Papuni, Riley Jacobson, Peni Tuitupou, Liam Tully, Phil Pale, Niko Dalivusa, Zac Campton, Tepai Moeroa, Joshua Delailoa, Michael Zakhia.

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):

Tom Robertson, Declan Moore, Darcy Breen, Oliver Atkins, Ratu Rotuisolia, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Jack McCalman, Rohan O’Regan, Theo Strang, Stu Dunbar, James Armstrong, Will McDonnell, Henry Clunies-Ross, Matthew Hood, Tim Clements.

IMAGE: AJF PHOTOGRAPHY