By Adam Sheldon

Wests captain Pino Maupese is confident his side can hand Hospital Cup ladder-leaders Easts their first loss of the season this Saturday, in what is shaping up as one of the fixtures of 2025.

Wests, who are riding a four-game winning streak, are faced with a task no team has been able to achieve this season: beat an Easts side, which, led by Eli Pilz’s near-perfect kicking game and a disciplined forward pack, just doesn’t look like losing.

“It’s definitely going to be a tough one, but we are confident we can get over the line,” Maupese told Rugby News.

“Easts have a strong forward pack and good backs out wide. For us, if we can win the forward battle, we can get the result. It’s going to be hard; they’re top of the table and have great momentum.

“But there is a strong belief – everyone’s confident, but we’re just also worried that we’re not too overconfident. It’s not in the bag at all, and it will be a challenge.”

Maupese said the team had been preparing all week for Easts’ “simple and effective” game plan.

“They rely a lot on their forwards. They will look to use their maul and their set piece quite well. Those are big areas they will rely on, before finishing with their backs out wide,” he said.

“It’s a simple and effective strategy that seems to be working for them – credit to them.”

Asked what the solution was to stop Simon Craig’s unbeatable Easts side, Maupese said Wests would “fight fire with fire”.

“We also have a strong forward pack,” Wests’ skipper said.

“We will do the same thing – try to match them with our set piece and then unleash our boys out wide as well. It’s a simple strategy as well – that’s pretty much it in a nutshell.”

While some clubs will welcome back returning Queensland Reds players to their side, after the Reds exited the Super Rugby last weekend, Wests will stick with their core side for the rest of the season.

Maupese said there was enough quality in-house to get the job done this weekend, as the squad looks to build on their recent winning run which has lifted Wests to third on the ladder.

“We have Glen Vaihu (15), he has been having a blinder the last few weeks,” Maupese said.

“Then we have the big boys in the front row, Tonga Tangitau and Timma Fainga’anuku. Luke Masirewa, our eight is another player who will have a big game.

“These are boys that can open a few things up and create opportunities. A few boys bolster other squads – we are just sticking to the core and looking to get the job done with what we have.

On a personal note, Maupese said he is enjoying life in Queensland and a first season in the Hospital Cup, with the Kiwi-native moving across the ditch at the start of the season to play under Wests head coach Elwee Prinsloo.

“I’m originally from Auckland but I was playing in Nelson on the South Island of NZ for the past five years,” he said.

“The Hospital Cup is a quality competition. The competition is just as physical here as NZ, and I think there is more depth – it’s a similar standard.

“In terms of being at Wests and playing under Elwee, it’s been great. He’s a good coach and he looks out for the boys. He’s happy to take on new ideas from the boys and test them out but he also has his game plan. It’s all coming together nicely.”

This weekend is Wests’ cultural round, and the club have organised special performances and food options for the occasion.

“It will be good to but a show on for everyone for the special occasion,” Maupese said.