Eastern Suburbs have always had a solid look about their playing roster but in many cases over the past couple of seasons they have been their worst enemy.

They finished fifth in 2019 and looked set for a major run at the grand final but Eastwood snapped that run in the first week of finals after being put to the sword by the Beasties only the week before at Woolahra.

Consistency was one of their major problems last season and as their likeable head coach PAULI TAUMOEPEAU told Rugby News this week that has been the focus of their preparations for the 2020 Shute Shield.

Work hard on the simple things and cut the ups and downs that has been their way in recent years.

In many ways the journey of Easts first grade side has reflected the coaching journey of their coach. Getting better with each outing and not without the odd hiccup.

It will be interesting to see how 2020 pans out for the boys from the east!

WHAT LIES AHEAD:
With a relatively younger group than we’ve had in the past, I’m looking forward to seeing who the next leaders at Woollahra are. I think overall leadership will be extremely important given the nature of this comp this season.

We’re in a sprint. With a tough start against Gordon, Wests, Rats and Eastwood we’ll need to be accurate out of the blocks. It’s not a case of test and see. We’ll have to throw everything out from the start because our opposition demand that.

LAST SEASON: 10 wins and seven losses to finish fifth. Knocked out by Eastwood in Week One of finals.

If there was one word to sum up our 2019 it would have to be inconsistent. One week we would be world beaters and the next we would be back in the middle of the pack.

One week our scrum would dominate and the next it would be all over the place. We beat Sydney Uni in round one by 25 points and then lose three on the trot.

Needless to say it has been one of our key work ons as this season has approached.

COMINGS AND GOINGS
Ins: Vunipola Fifita (Brumbies), Moli Sooaemalelagi (Rebels), Jordan Jackson-Hope (Brumbies), Nicholas Holton (Manly), Richard Woolf (Northern Suburbs), Tom Hughes (Easts Tigers NRL), Harry Nucifora (Bond University QLD), Blake Henman (Vikings ACT)

Outs: Tim Buchanan, Rowan Perry, BJ Edwards, Cody Walker, Archie Hall

WHERE WE’LL NEED TO IMPROVE:
All across the park. We can’t be stagnant in any area. I don’t think we were Elite in any area last season so we’re looking for small improvements in every aspect of our game – scrum, lineout, contact, defence and attack.

The comp is getting better and better. So adapting and improving is vital.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
I think Henry Paterson and Daniel Donato will be exciting this season. Both have had similar pathways to where they are now. Both have had solid pre-seasons so let’s hope it transfers into their on field performances.

HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR 2020:
I hope to win this thing! A lot of work has gone into building something that both players and staff can stand on and deliver something special.

Again, there’s a few areas of improvements in our set up that have to be ticked off to achieve what we want. But the improvements are all within our reach.

Having what you need and executing what you need are two totally separate things. Both need to be ticked to win.

OUR BIG IMPROVERS WILL BE:
I’m hoping our Pack can take that next step. They’ve made all the right moves so far. Just need it done against extreme pressure now and then over and over again.

WHO WILL YOUR TEAM PLAY IN THE GRAND FINAL?
On a personal level I’d love for it to be Gordon. That would make an interesting week but I think Rats are going to be strong again.

Seems to be a formula up there that they’re not sharing to get into three GFs in a row. They have the same core group going again albeit without Hamish Angus, their coach (Mike Ruthven) has been involved since their first GF in this run in 2017. They’ll be tough.