By Jonathan B Geddes

AN English recruit with a familiar footy name came to Australia looking for an opportunity in the Shute Shield – and he stepped up for Eastern Suburbs in their 36-10 win over Hunter Wildfires at Woollahra Oval on Saturday.

Like his namesake, who plays for the nearby NRL club, the Sydney Roosters, rugby’s Sam Walker handled the heat when thrust into the hot seat.

Easts went into the Wildfires’ game without their regular No.10 Jack Bowen, who was starring for the Waratahs in their 50-35 win over the Fijian Drua in Suva. After 20 minutes on Saturday new five-eighth Chris Bell was forced from the field with a shoulder injury, which then saw Walker take the challenge of shifting from fullback into the halves for the first time at Easts. 

Despite that reshuffle, the Beasties scored a decisive six-try to one victory that was built on gritty defence and a hardworking pack of forwards.

Handling that situation the way they did, explains why Easts remain undefeated after six rounds.

STEERING THE SHIP   

EASTS coach Ben Batger said it was very pleasing to see Walker step up and display his versatility playing 60 minutes at No. 10.      

“Growing up, I was always between 10 and fullback,” Walker told Rugby News. “Since coming out here ‘Batg’ (Batger) has put me in the 15 role.

“So today, when I was asked to step in, it wasn’t too far out of my comfort zone, but there are obviously a few things you’ve got to change.

“You’ve got to steer the ship a little bit, but I’m lucky to have boys around me like (halfback) Connor Tupai and (No.12) Sammy McLachlan who helped out as well. I really enjoyed it.

“I think as a collective we all stepped up and filled what we lost in Belly and Bo.”

The experienced Tupai really made his presence felt and his form at Easts has boosted his claims for selection in the Samoan World Cup squad.

“Connor’s consistently been one of our top three players week-in, week-out,” Batger said. “He’s been a really good leader for us.”   

Walker was also full of praise for the dominance of his Easts’ pack.

“It makes your life a lot easier, that’s for sure,” he said. “We’ve got some skilful forwards, we’ve got some big ball carriers, so it is a good day if you are a back. We’re all buzzing.”

No. 7 Archie Gavin scored two tries, taking his tally this season to nine.    

HAPPY DAYS

WALKER arrived in Australia in December and started training at Woollahra in January.

Last year, the 23-year-old played with Exeter University in England and then went home to Cornwall for a couple of months, saving up to come Down Under.

“One of the main things for me was definitely the rugby,” he said. “I was looking for something professional at home, which didn’t come, and that spurred me on to come out here, and so far it has been a great decision.

“I absolutely love it, the lifestyle, the boys, the club, it is unreal.” 

TACKLING THE BIG ISSUE    

WHAT impressed Batger the most about Saturday’s win was his side’s defence.

The Wildfires’ only try came after 70 minutes.

“Even at the end we were down to 14 men on our goal line and that wouldn’t have changed anything points-wise, but they kept them out, kept their pride up and kept their standards,” Batger said.

“We probably put a bit of pressure on ourselves, we had to defend our goal line a lot, but we certainly stopped them 90 per cent of the time.

“Hunter came in with the second-best attack, so to keep them to one try and 10 points was very pleasing.”      

Easts are now undefeated at home since round 12 in 2024.