By MARK CASHMAN

A little under a decade ago it was Todd Louden who was calling the coaching shots at Sydney Uni and Michael Hodge was the emerging star looking for a crack at Super Rugby.

The two will go head to head on Saturday when Sydney Uni and Southern Districts play in the 7TWO match of the round – Louden as the man pressing the reset button at the Rebels and Hodge the guy thrown the keys to the Ferrari that is Uni.

They had some great times together including the Shute Shield grand final win in 2012 that was ironically played out against Southern Districts, and both are looking forward to the battle that will play out through Saturday.

“It’s a special week coming up against Todd,” Hodge said.

“He was my First Grade coach for two full seasons in 2011 and 2012. That included us winning the Shute Shield together, and he will have the Souths pack fired up and ready for a combative match.

“They’re a well drilled team and will be extra physical at the breakdown.”

Louden likewise, has fond memories of those years at Uni.

“He was a crafty little player,” Louden said of the Hodge of 2011 and 2012.

“And I’m sure he’s not that different as a coach. He’s a good communicator and he seems to be able to rally the boys really well.

“Michael’s just a great guy, but I must admit that I see the coaching thing a little differently – I’m coaching my team and he’s coaching his team and it’s more about the guys on the field.

“I want him to do well – but after Saturday,” Louden laughed.

Louden added that the Souths approach to this game had been very low key.

“Very very low key that’s for sure,” he said.

“We just want to play this game and see where we are at. It’s the perfect game at the perfect time of the year.”

The Students have been managing a Covid-19 scare within the club on the back of their visit to Newcastle to play the Hunter Wildfires and will once again be missing 12 players throughout their top two grades.

That saw numerous guys from Uni’s next wave get a taste of Shute Shield action against Penrith last weekend and they will again step up and try and get the job done against Souths.

The big in for Uni is in the front row with the vastly experienced Paddy Ryan coming in at tighthead.

“We are certainly keen to back the young guys who will be getting another opportunity this week,” Hodge added.

“I was really happy with what they produced last week, particularly after a disrupted preparation.

“Paddy’s been exceptional. He’s been training with us for six weeks now, and gets his opportunity on the big stage!

“Remembering he was there for the 2018 GF, so he already feels a part of this group.”

Souths have developed a reputation for being a combative side that doesn’t go away and that will be their best form of attack.

Harry McLennan has been great in their back row and they will be helped by the return of hooker Joe Cotton who has been in and out of the Waratahs bubble.

Tim Metcher delivers the same stuff each week and they have also got some good pay from their centre duo in Will Latu and Nathan Lawson who is transitioning from the back row.

The loss of those regulars to self isolation these past two weeks does bring Uni back to the pack here so it will be interesting to see how this one plays out.

Teacher v student and all that stuff!

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):
Matt Sandell, Timothy Lilomaiava, Paddy Ryan, Luke Porter, Ratu Rotuisolia, Hugh Bokenham, Hamish Dunbar, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Banjo Travers, Connor O’Shea, James Kane, Will McDonnell, Henry Clunies-Ross, James Armstrong, Tim Clements.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):
Laurence Tominiko, Joe Cotton, Tim Metcher, Isoa Nasilasila, Jake Douglas, Philip Potgieter, Harry McLennan, Nick Brown, Sam Harris, Liam Moseley, Christian Kagiassis, Viliami Latu, Nathan Lawson, Apaola Tea Lama, Daniel Bell.

LAST TIME: Sydney Uni W 47-24 July 20, 2019

IMAGE: AJF PHOTOGRAPHY