By MARK CASHMAN

Eastern Suburbs coach Pauli Taumoepeau has called on his Shute Shield regulars to take the lead hand when they Beasties take on Sydney Uni in a critical game on Saturday.

Taumoepeau has been able to call three Waratahs into his side for the game against the Students with lock Tom Staniforth, centre Lalakai Foketi and outside back Alex Newsome now available.

The game will be season changing for the home side with a win over Uni, who sit above them on the competition table, essential to make the most of the past month.

Easts started the season slowly but only really started to show their true form against Northern Suburbs at home early last month.

Since then they have beaten Southern Districts and the Hunter Wildfires and appear to be coming together a lot more.

“Naturally I would like the Super Rugby guys to add value in their areas and to the overall performance,” Taumoepeau said

“But I’m hoping it’s the guys that have been playing Shute Shield that take the lead.

“Naturally our Super Rugby players can do that but you don’t want to dump too much on them.

“You want those guys coming into a team to add to it, not to take over it. Especially in their first game.”

That is natural enough when you consider that the Super Rugby guys have had little contact with the systems that Taumoepeau has been implementing.

These games have always been willing contest and this one is looming as just that with the Beasties within a win of breaking into the top six.

“Easts have been excellent over the past three weeks and they will be full of confidence after their dominant display against Souths on the weekend,” Uni coach Michael Hodge said.

“It’s an important match for them, as they sit just outside the six. Playing at home, and the inclusion of a few experienced Super Rugby players to their side, will just add to the spectacle!”

Hodge has been able to welcome back Nick Champion de Crespigny into his back row and his abrasive nature in defence and at the breakdown will add much to the Uni game.

“Nick brings a lot to our team. He’s always been a confrontational defender, but has added an element of attack and subtly this season, which provides our backs with quality, front foot ball,” Hodge added.

“We’re really comfortable with our one to 15 this week and are looking forward to the challenge of coming up a strong and confident Eastern Suburbs side.”

This will be a game of chances and the team that takes them will end up with the chocolates.

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):
Faaleliei Sione, Moli Sooaemalelagi, Archer Holz, Jeremy Williams, Tom Staniforth, Jack Digby, Charlie Gamble, Sam Shires, Jack Grant (c), Cohan Guerra, Richie Woolf, Lalakai Foketi, Henry Paterson, Alex Newsome/Dan Donato, Alex Newsome/Dan Donato.

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):
Thomas Osborne, Patrick O’Doherty, Darcy Breen, Luke Porter, Ratu Rotuisolia, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Jack McCalman, Rohan O’Regan, Banjo Travers, Connor O’Shea, Ofa Manuofetoa, Ben Hughes, Henry Clunies-Ross, Angus Bell, Tim Clements.

IMAGE: RISING SUN PHOTOGRAPHY