Eastern Suburbs aren’t exactly where they were hoping to be after six rounds of the 2021 Shute Shield competition. 

The Beasties sit in sixth spot, with three wins and three losses to their name and are yet to win back to back matches this season. 

Despite that, coach Pauli Taumoepeau remains optimistic. 

“It’s been tough, particularly the losses to Eastwood and Sydney Uni. The score-lines probably got away from us towards the end in both of those games but we were in the mix in both,” Taumoepeau told Rugby News. 

“We probably just got outclassed at the end of those games. Against Eastwood it was a bit of magic from Nawaqanitawase that swung momentum.

“Then last weekend against Uni, we were one more pick and drive away from scoring and getting within four points of them but we didn’t execute and Uni took advantage from there.”

Taumoepeau acknowledged that his side can’t afford to keep losing key moments in tight matches if they are to challenge for a Shute Shield title, but said there were still plenty of positives to take from the opening rounds. 

“I think we’re starting games well. Our first haves have been decent and our defence has been solid for the most part. For a few weeks there, statistically we had the best defence in the comp but we’ve let that slip. 

“There is a lot to be happy with but that is all clouded by losing games, particularly losing games at home.”

Easts will welcome back a number of Super Rugby players later this year and appear from the outside to be timing their run towards the playoffs. 

But don’t mention that to Taumoepeau. 

“As I was walking down to the field after the game on Saturday I ran in to a few Easts’ old boys and straight away their comments were ‘it’ll be alright, we’ll come good.’ 

“I hear that from other coaches as well, that Easts traditionally start slow but know how to peak at the right time of the year. 

“We might have done that in the past, but that’s not our mentality. We aren’t sitting around thinking about getting players back at the end of the year and turning it on then. We want to be winning now and every loss is hurting us.”

The Beasties expected to drop out of the top six following Saturday’s loss but fortunate results and a friendly draw have given Easts a chance to jump up the ladder in the coming weeks. 

“Sixth is not where we want to be but we’re still right in the mix and if we can pick up maximum points this weekend against Newcastle then we leapfrog Eastwood into fifth because they have the bye.”

Easts also have a bye and clashes against Penrith, Norths and West Harbour in the month to follow. 

“Knowing that probably helped us move on from the Uni loss pretty quickly. We weren’t happy about it but we know the job we need to do over the next month or so. 

“We’re sixth now and we have a good chance to move up the ladder over the next few weeks.”

First though, the Beasties face a tough road trip to Newcastle to face a Wildfires side that seem to be edging closer to playing their best rugby. 

“It’s funny, I think in all my time coaching at Easts, we always seem to run in to desperate teams in the week that they desperately need to win. 

“But now, I think we’re in that position so although Newcastle will be desperate to win, we need to be more desperate. 

“It’s going to be a special day for the Wildfires on Sunday. They’ve moved their game to Sunday so that all the local clubs can watch them play, plus all their juniors will be there. 

“They’ll want to put on a show and emotionally they’ll be up for it. We just need to make sure our desire to drive back to Sydney in fifth spot is greater than Newcastle’s desire to get a result.”