By MARK CASHMAN

The search for the perfect game continues at Woollahra Oval but the Beasties are showing signs that this may well be their year to break their Shute Shield drought.

But while coach Pauli Taumoepeau liked the never say die attitude off their win over Northern Suburbs but he’s still looking to string a run of good performances together.

At the halfway mark of the competition skipper Jack Digby and Dean Oakman-Hunt are leading the way with a number of their good colts of recent times chiming in with significant cameos.

Here are thoughts of coach Taumoepeau:

ALL THE NUMBERS

Played 9, won 6, Lost 3
Points For: 269
Points Against: 228
Differential: 41
Ladder position: Third on 30 points

How would you describe your first half of the season? 

We’ve been a little inconsistent. We haven’t been able to string a decent set of games together and want to continue to build on our confidence through our performances and these next few weeks will be huge for us.

Who has been the standout player so far?

We’ve had a few guys put their hands up at different times. Dean Oakman-Hunt has always put in some huge performances as has Jack Digby. Our Colts boys have been awesome though – Hamish Moore (hooker), Irie Papuni (lock) and Teddy Wilson (scum half).

What’s been the difference between your best and worst performances so far this year? 

What’s been consistent in our good and bad games has been a terrible error rate. We seem to turn the ball over for fun at times. That’s been frustrating.

The difference though has been that we didn’t give in when we thought we were out. The mental application or the confidence in what we’re doing came through in our good performances.

How does your squad look for the backend of the season?

We’ll obviously have everyone we’ve just had and we’re lucky to now be able to include some rep players back. On top of that we’ll welcome back Sam Shires who’s back in one maybe two weeks. He’ll be a great inclusion for the playing group.

Which two teams will play in this year’s grand final? 

We want to be one of those teams and we’re working hard for that opportunity. You’d have to look at Uni who’ve had the perfect start to the season. But it’s too close to call. There’s more than six teams going for playoffs at the moment.

IMAGE: KAREN WATSON