By MARK CASHMAN

Eastern Suburbs coach Pauli Taumoepeau has warned his side that the trip to Newcastle to play the Hunter Wildfires on Saturday is anything but a “jolly day trip”.

The Wildfires may have had some points put on them so far this season, but they have always been a hard-edged side that is in the contest right until the final whistle.

Take for example the games that I have watched in recent weeks against Northern Suburbs and then Gordon.

Both Norths and Gordon came away from these contest with some walking wounded with the Highlanders needing to keep three normal starters on the sidelines this weekend.