There were a heap of new faces popping up across most team lists ahead of the opening round of the 2025 Shute Shield season.

So ahead of round two, we thought we’d take a look at one new recruit from each club to keep an eye on in the early parts of the season. 

Marshall Le Maitre – Northern Suburbs

Straight out of school and into first grade, former Shore skipper Marshall Le Maitre didn’t look out of place in his Shute Shield debut at Manly Oval last weekend. 

Le Maitre led Shore to a breakthrough GPS premiership but missed selection in the latest Aussie U20s squad, which means we should see plenty of the talented No.7 in club land this year. 

Marcus Tiffen – Manly

A 100kg backrower from Northern England, former Newcastle Falcons forwards Marcus Tiffen finds himself in Manly after struggling with injury over recent seasons in the UK. 

Tiffen is still only 22 and has a handful of Premiership caps and a mathematics degree from Newcastle University behind him already. 

Rob Cobb – Easts

A second Cobb from across the ditch at Easts, prop Rob scored a try on debut against Souths last weekend and will shore up the Beasties scrum following the departures of Lewis Ponini and Vuni Fifita. 

The 26-year old earned a Super Rugby cap for the Chiefs back in 2020 and played ITM Cup with Waikato and Northland on either side of a stint in the MLR.

Mark Balaski – Souths

A 26-year old Canadian international who grew up in Ireland, new Souths playmaker Mark Balaski is in Sydney to try and play his way into Canada’s top squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers later this year. 

Daniel Maiava – Hunter

21-year old former Aussie U20s and Melbourne Rebels lock Daniel Maiava has made his way to Hunter following a stint in New Zealand after the end of last year’s Super Rugby season. 

A big, powerful lock who is good at lineout time, Maiava is a big in for the Wildfires as the Newcastle side pushes to return to the finals. 

Sateki Latu – Rats

Back at Rat Park after a season in Super Rugby with Moana Pasifika, Sateki Latu was one of the most dominant forwards in the competition before getting a crack at the next level. 

If he can rediscover that form, Latu won’t be playing in clubland for long. 

Issac Crowe – Eastwood

One of a number of new faces at TG Millner this year, flyhalf/fullback Issac Crowe won the Macdougall Medal, awarded to the best player in the Canberra competition, as a 22-year old and heads north to Sydney with a more mature head on his shoulders. 

Isi Naisarani – Randwick

The former Wallaby has been floating around Sydney for a few years now trying desperately to get his body right. 

It didn’t quite work out for him last year at Sydney Uni, but if Naisarani can get fit, the 30-year old could be one of the most dominant forwards in the competition. 

Ale Aho – West Harbour

West Harbour have picked up Waratahs recruit and 22-year old Kiwi lock Ale Aho as he tries to play his way back into the Super Rugby picture. 

Aho was impressive at lineout time for the Pirates against Uni last week and adds plenty of class to a dangerous West Harbour forward pack. 

Shaun Anderson – Sydney Uni

A classy outside centre with plenty of experience, Shaun Anderson is one of a number of older faces recruited by the Students this year. 

Anderson was part of the Reds development tour to Japan late last year will add class and experience to the Sydney Uni backline. 

Darius Mafileo – Western Sydney

Ask anyone that plays rugby on the south coast, Darius Mafileo can seriously play. Mafileo was originally going to join the Two Blues for the 2024 season but decided to tear apart the Illawarra local competition instead. 

The former Manawatu prop has size, aggression and experience. 

Tevita Ahokovi – Gordon

Possibly the biggest signing of the summer, 24-year old backrower Tevita Ahokovi joins Gordon fresh off playing three Tests for Tonga during the Autumn Series. 

Another trying to find form ahead of World Cup qualifiers later this year,  Ahokovi could be the missing piece for a mature Gordon side looking to make the most of their premiership window.