Each year the Shute Shield attracts more and more quality players from various pathways looking to test themselves in the best club rugby competition in world rugby. 

This year is no different with plenty of top end talent. Here are a few to keep an eye out for in the opening few rounds. 

Jean-Baptiste Dubié – Manly

Former Bordeaux centre JB Dubie has finished up in the Top 14 and moved to Manly to link up with his mates at Budgy Smuggler and play with the Marlins. 

The 34-year old played 124 matches in France’s top flight league and will add class, experience and a little bit of French sex appeal to the outside backs at Manly Oval. 

Isi Naisarani – Sydney Uni

Former Wallaby Isi Naisarani has joined Sydney Uni after falling to turn a train and trial contract with the Waratahs into a spot in the top squad. 

Still only 29, Naisarani returned from Japan to join the Western Force last year and still has plenty of upside.

Kurtley Beale – Randwick

According to coach Steve Hoiles, Kurtley has plenty of fire in his belly and a point to prove after a tough 12 months. If he spends the full season with last year’s premiers, they are going to be awfully tough to beat. 

His experience and mentorship on the training paddock will also be invaluable to a lot of talented young players at the club. Hoiles admits he thinks Beale will be back in professional rugby sooner rather than later though.

Gabriele Venditti – Hunter Wildfires

26-year old Polish born Italian backrower Gabriele Venditti is another that headed to Sydney on a train and trial contract with the Waratahs but will spend the season in the Shute Shield. 

Venditti is a big bodied backrower who has spent the past few seasons playing for Zebra Parma – Italy’s domestic team in the URC (formerly Pro 12 featuring teams from Ireland/Scotland/Wales/South Africa and Italy) against some of the best players in the world. 

Hadley Tonga – Eastwood

Signed by RA to join the Aussie 7s squad while still at school, Hadley Tonga is a lighting quick and thick outside back who has dominated schoolboy rugby and athletics at Kings. 

In 2022, Tonga ran the 100 metres in 10.84 seconds in the pouring rain as a 17-year old. He struggled with injury last year and is yet to make his Aussie in 7s debut but could light up the Shute Shield if he ends up playing at TG Millner this season. 

Jamie Adamson – Eastern Suburbs

Former Great Britain 7s forward Jamie Adamson has moved to Sydney to join Eastern Suburbs after missing out on the GB7s squad ahead of this year’s Olympics. Adamson spent three seasons on the World Tour and played as a backrower in the Newcastle Falcons system before that. 

Will Roberts – West Harbour

West Harbour have picked up former sprinter and touch footballer Will Roberts ahead of the 2024 season. Roberts runs the 100 metres in 10.2 seconds. For context, USA 7s gun Carlin Isles, arguably the fastest man in world rugby, runs a 10.13. 

Pirates coach Cam Treloar admitted Roberts has limited rugby experience but was quick to point out that you can’t coach that type of speed. 

Conrad Cade – Gordon

27-year old former Newcastle Falcons prop Conrad Cade will look to sure up the Gordon scrum this season. Cade cracked Newcastle’s Premiership squad in his mid 20s and played two seasons in the top flight completion. 

Dan Faleafa – Western Sydney

35-year old former Tongan international Dan Faleafa has returned to Sydney to play with the Two Blues after playing the best part of the last decade in France and the UK.

Tefela played a season with Southern Districts, then Randwick in 2013 and 2014 and returns to mentor a promising Two Blues pack with plenty of potential.

Carrick McDonough – Northern Suburbs

21-year old Welsh speedster Carrick McDonough has joined last year’s grand finalists. The outside back spent time with the Welsh 7s squad before Wales merged with Scotland and England to form Great Britain. He also represented Wales U20s.