By MARK CASHMAN

Eastern Suburbs have been in finals mode since Round Five of the Shute Shield competition and could think of nothing better than a big derby game to get them ready for the rough and tumble of the playoffs.

After four rounds the Beasties were sitting on one win and four losses and with general thinking saying that you could only afford four losses and make the finals they were very much on a knife’s edge.

Easts take on Randwick in a twilight encounter that could see them jump as high as second on the ladder and an all important second chance in the finals.

“Sitting one one win and three losses after four rounds put enormous pressure on the group for the remainder of the season,” coach Pauli Taumoepeau said.

“But I’ve been impressed with how the group has responded to that scenario.

“That’s obvious from the outside but it’s the character of the human away from game day that’s impressed me most.”

“Whilst we’re happy with where we’ve come from to lock into finals, none of that matters this weekend. No one is talking about win streaks or guarantees.

“It’s a privilege to be part of this derby. The day builds itself. We’re looking forward to the day but also the challenge that Randwick will throw at us.”

Easts have been able to bring a number of their Super Rugby contingent into the side to play Randwick with Lalaki Foketi and Alex Newsome pairing top again in the centres and Rob Leota continuing to toil a bit closer to the action at No.8.

Taumoepeau has been pleased with the way that Leota has involved himself in recent weeks as he fits into the way that the Beasties game is structured.

He is one big human being and will be critical to the result in this game.

Randwick coach Ben McCormack knows that the Galloping Greens scrum and mauling game will need to be on song to compete in this one.

“They’ve really improved their scrum and maul over the past 12 months and they’ve been getting some pay out of it this year, so we’ll need to be good in those areas,” McCormack said.

“But our lineout is a strength that we can play to so it should be a good match up.

“They obviously welcome back a Super Rugby centre pairing this week as well, but I’m confident my blokes in the middle opposite them will get the job done.

“We’ve been ticking along nicely this week and have benefited from a freshen up so I’m expecting a forward showing.

“Twilight Derby game to finish home and away – doesn’t get much better. Should be a cracker.”

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):

Vunipola Fifita, Lindsey Stevens/Moli Sooaemalelagi, Archer Holz, Ryan McCauley, Jeremy Williams, Jack Digby, Sam Shires/Dean Oakman-Hunt, Rob Leota, Jack Grant (c), Cohan Guerra, Henry Paterson, Lalaki Foketi, Alex Newsome, Richie Woolf, Dan Donato.

RANDWICK (1-15):

Jake Turnbull, Dave Vea, George Hendry, Nathan Den Hoedt, Tom Nowlan, Tom Piroddi, Christian Poidevin, Jeral Skleton, Michael McDonald, Ben Donaldson, Brooklyn Hardaker, Dave Horwitz, Triston Reilly, Tom Molloy, Locky Miller.

IMAGE: AJF PHOTOGRAPHY