There’s going to be a lot of change at the Waratahs over summer following the departure of coach Daryl Gibson and a host of high profile names heading overseas at the end of the World Cup. 

While a new coach is yet to be named, the Tahs back office will be hard at word putting together their squad for the 2020 season. 

There is a lot of young, impressive talent at Daceyville and with time a number of those younger squad members will likely star in sky blue. 

But in the mean time, what the Waratahs desperately need are some hard, experienced bodies that are capable of playing Super Rugby next year. 

Fortunately, there are plenty that fit that bill running around every Saturday in the Shute Shield and below are our pick of the bunch. 

James Kane – Sydney Uni

Sydney Uni winger James Kane can do it all. His boot is as accurate as it is long from both the tee and in play and the red head rarely puts a foot wrong in attack or defence. His reliability could be a huge addition for the Tahs. 

Rowan Perry – Eastern Suburbs

It may seem crazy to be talking about a player who had retired from rugby up until a few weeks ago, but anyone that has seen Rowan Perry play in recent weeks will agree that he hasn’t lost his touch. The former Brumbies squad member is still only 25 and could be a perfect replacement for Canberra bound Will Miller. 

Beaudein Waaka – Manly

Yes he’s a Kiwi, but he’s also been arguably the most dangerous player in the Shute Shield this season. Waaka has been one of Manly’s best in almost every match he’s played and should be odds on to win this year’s rookie of the year award, if he doesn’t win the Catchpole Medal. 

Nick Champion de Crespigny – Sydney Uni

What you see is what you get with Sydney Uni forward Nick Champion de Crespigny. The big man  tackles all day and after spending time the Rebels, is Super Rugby ready right away. 

Connor Vest – Northern Suburbs

While a number of his teammates have made the jump to Super Rugby, Connor Vest is yet to get a crack, despite spending two of his last three pre seasons training with the Waratahs and Brumbies. At 194cm and 114kg, he’s ready to go. 

Nox Muliufi – Eastwood

Tayler Adams has received plenty of praise for getting Eastwood back to the top of the Shute Shield ladder, but a lot of his attack has come off the back of front foot ball provided by impressive Woodies No.12 Nox Muliufi. 

Angus Sinclair – Northern Suburbs

Following the departure of Bernard Foley, the Tahs are without an experienced No.10. Mack Mason deserves to get first crack, but Angus Sinclair could give the Waratahs another, more experienced option. Will Harrison looks to be the real deal, but needs a lot more time in club rugby.

Richie Woolf – Northern Suburbs

The Tahs have a handful of outside back spots to fill and one player that has proven he can create something from nothing time and time again is Norths’ flyer Richie Woolf. 

Harry Jones – Warringah

Jones is another that could step back into Super Rugby quite easily after arguably getting his shot at the Waratahs a few years before he was truly ready. 

Hugh Sinclair – Northern Suburbs

Unlike his brother Angus, Hugh Sinclair already has a year of Super Rugby under his belt at the Rebels and could slot into the Tahs back row easily next season.

Michael Icely – Eastwood

Still only in his first year of grade rugby, Michael Icely is the real deal and will play Super Rugby at some point, potentially even next year. Sure he’s young, but what he lacks in experience he makes up for in physical presence and he’ll only benefit from a full pre-season in the gym. 

Harry Potter – Sydney Uni

The most dangerous attacking player in the competition by the numbers, Harry Potter knows how to find space. The outside back has only been playing rugby for a handful or years and has bucketloads of potential.