By Jon Geddes

WEST Harbour have the task of containing two members of Australian rugby’s exciting “Generation Next” when they take on Eastern Suburbs in Saturday’s second round Shute Shield clash at Woollahra Oval.

The Beasties’ talented scrumbase combination of halfback Teddy Wilson and No.10 Jack Bowen are shaping as big dangermen for Wests – and any other opponents who take on Easts in the weeks ahead.

The Waratahs’ duo stood out in Easts’ first round 30-24 win over Eastwood, with Bowen setting up two tries in a man of the match performance while Wilson crossed for his side’s third five-pointer.

They both came through the GPS system, with Bowen attending Riverview College and Wilson The Kings School.      

The pair are also in the Junior Wallabies’ squad for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship which kicks off in South Africa in late June.

It is great to see the two young talents gaining valuable experience and match fitness playing in the Shute Shield.

They have big futures ahead – and how blessed are Easts to have them playing alongside each other.

New Wests coach Cam Treloar is well-aware of the threat posed by the exciting halves.

“They are all class,” he said. “Jack Bowen has a really good kicking game and Teddy Wilson is so dangerous around the fringes.

“You’ve just got to be awake at all times, they look pretty good in attack.”

Another threat comes from Easts’ skipper and No.7 Archie Gavin.

“He is a terrier at the ball,” Treloar said.              

A BEASTLY TEST  

Wests opened their account with a 17-15 victory over the Two Blues last weekend, but Treloar was very realistic about the performance.

“We have to be dramatically better this week, to be honest it was hard to see how we won the game,” Treloar admitted.  

“There wasn’t a lot for us to take out of that game, we played not very well.             

“We did front up reasonably well physically. I was pretty happy with the grit and determination of the boys which got us home.

“I cannot fault their effort one bit. We are working and we are improving and that is all you can ask for.”

Treloar said Easts will pose a different challenge on Saturday.

“Whereas we had the physicality test last week, this will be the speed and execution test,” he said.

“Easts look really quick across the deck, everything they do is at a helter-skelter sort of pace.”

He said Wests will have to match that speed and not allow Easts to get into their rhythm.

And the team will again be relying on veteran prop Sonny Satuala to lead the way up front in the forward exchanges.

“He’s had a huge-off season and he’s been in really good form,” Treloar said. “And it’s not just his scrums, it’s his getting around the park and working really hard.

“We knew he was good, but we are very excited where he is at.

“He’s a great team man and he represents exactly who we want to be and what we are.”