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After a slow start, Eastern Suburbs won eight straight matches at the pointy end of the season and entered the playoffs full of confidence on the back of a thrashing of Randwick in the final round.

But back to back finals losses to grand finalists Eastwood and Gordon led to another early and disappointing end to the Beasties season

Overview with Pauli Taumoepeau:

“We ended the year with no trophies, so that’s disappointing. I think that’s the only way to measure it really. I think we put ourselves in a position to do something special but we just fell short again,” the coach told Rugby News. 

“To have won eight games in a row after staring down the barrel of missing the playoffs earlier in the season, I was really proud of how the boys stood up against some pretty good opposition in those last eight weeks.

“I’m really disappointed that we still don’t have a trophy, but I’m proud of the way our group performed this season. 

“We didn’t start the year well and that just put the pressure on earlier for us then it should have. I thought it would take a bit of time for us to play our best footy this year but I didn’t think we’d lose as many games as we did earlier in the year. 

“We always knew though that if we clicked, then we had some really good rugby in us and I’m glad we persisted with some of the new things we did this year, because we saw the benefits of that towards the backend of the regular season. 

“Losing two straight finals games is obviously really disappointing. The Eastwood loss was a weird one and there are a hundred things that I’d do differently if I had my time again. 

“We were right in the game at half time and went into the sheds feeling confident. When I walked in at half time there was a bit of a breeze still but nothing that we couldn’t play into. By the time I left the sheds though, that had changed completely and we found ourselves running into a gale force wind and torrential rain. 

“I couldn’t believe it when I walked back outside and I quickly ran back into the sheds to let the boys know conditions had changed quite a bit. Looking back on it, I probably could have done more then and throughout the half over the radio, but it was a pretty strange situation. 

“We didn’t adjust well playing into that wind and then (Chris) Bell and (Tane) Edmed kicked brilliantly and really took control of the game. They deserved to win based on that. 

“Against Gordon, we were right in it and there were a few moments where I thought we looked the goods but we gave away a ruck penalty early in the second half and allowed them into our half and they scored from a chip kick not long after that. Momentum really changed from there and Gordon got on top, as good championship teams should. 

“We just didn’t win those key moments against Gordon and that proved the difference”

What needs to happen between now and round one next year? 

“I don’t want people to take this the wrong way, but there’s not a lot I want to change. We just need to get better in small areas, I don’t think there needs to be any drastic change. 

“The last few years, we’ve had big parts of our game that we needed to work on whereas this year, I think it’s more about getting an extra few percent out of each part of our game. I’m confident that we’re on the right path and we’re getting so close, but we just need to find those small areas of improvement to take that next step.”

Which player(s) do you expect to go on to bigger and better things from next year? 

“This year is the most I’ve even spoken to Super Rugby coaches about some of my players, which is really pleasing. Young Archer Holtz has just signed a training contract with the Brumbies, so he’s off to Canberra. 

“Jack Digby is heading to Melbourne to do the Rebels preseason and Jack Grant is talking to a Super Rugby club as well and we all really hope that he gets an opportunity there because he’s a guy that really deserves it based on his club form over the past few years. 

“Those three guys have all taken big steps this year and are ready to be rewarded. 

“Another one I’d say deserves a crack at the next level is Dan Donato. He had a breakout season for us this year, he was spectacular and really brave at times at fullback. He leant a lot from those two finals games, playing in the wet against good kicking teams, and I think he’ll be a better player because of it.”

Bold prediction for 2021: 

“When you think of how many teams were in the mix this year, it’s only going to get tougher again in 2021. 

“This comp is just incredible because every year we say it is going to get tighter and every year it does. You’ve really got to give a rap to each of the clubs because the competition just keeps getting better and better. 

“There are just no weeks off in the Shute Shield. 

“Look at a side like Western Sydney, who finished down the ladder this year. They’re improving their rugby program by the week and they’ve just picked up a New Zealand U20s lock for next year and another really good backrower. 

“Souths will get better. Todd did some great things down there this year and unfortunately they just got crippled by injuries. Warringah will improve as well. There is going to be a bit of a turnover of players but that’s probably what they needed moving forward and Rivo (Mike Ruthven) will only get better as a second year coach.

“Sydney Uni will be really disappointed with how their season ended as well so I think they’ll be back with a vengeance. 

“It’s not bold, but it’s going to be tougher again next season, which is exciting to look ahead too.”

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