There is Shute Shield talent aplenty to keep on eye on over the coming months as the Rugby World Cup kicks off on Saturday morning Sydney time. 

Some won’t feature in gold jerseys though but will have plenty of support from the club rugby community. 

Otu Mausia – Western Sydney Two Blues – Tonga

This is a pretty cool story. After making his debut for Tonga late last year, Mausia chose to play his way into a star studded Tongan squad via a season with the Two Blues in the Shute Shield. 

He was close to untouchable throughout the first half of this season and did enough to earn his spot ahead of numerous rivals playing in professional competitions around the world. 

It shows if you play well enough in the Shute Shield, you will get noticed. 

Jack Dempsey – Gordon – Scotland

It feels like only yesterday when Jack Dempsey was in a Gordon jersey, leading the Stags to a breakthrough premiership at the end of the Covid interrupted 2020 season. 

Now he plays in the navy blue jersey of Scotland, a side who could spoil the World Cup hopes of tournament favourites Ireland and South Africa. 

Michael Alaalatoa – West Harbour – Samoa

Before becoming a Waratah and then eventually a Crusader, prop Michael Alaalatoa played in the Shute Shield. 

After a season with Southern Districts, he played for several years at West Harbour. 

Kotaro Matsushima – Eastern Suburbs – Japan

In his early 20s, Japanese fullback Kotaro Matsushima was part of the Waratahs wider training squad and played a season with Eastern Suburbs in the Shute Shield in 2015. 

Afusipa Taumoepeau – Eastern Suburbs – Tonga

While he’s played the majority of his career in France, Afusipa Taumoepeau, the younger brother of Tahs’ assistant coach Pauli, also played with Easts. In his younger years, he was a schoolboy star at Joeys and before that played all his junior rugby for Oatley. 

Isoa Nasilasila – Southern Districts – Fiji

23-year old Fijian lock Isoa Nasilasila played two seasons at Southern Districts before being picked up by the Fijian Drua then eventually the Fijian national side. 

A graduate of Westfield Sports High. 

Sama Mololo – Southern Districts – Samoa

Another Rebel heading to France, Samoan hooker Sama Mololo spent four seasons at Southern Districts before heading to the MLR. 

Albert Tuisue – West Harbour – Fiji

Former gun West Harbour forward Albert Tuisue, now playing for Gloucester in the UK, was a standout in the Shute Shield for a number of years before earning a cap for Fiji then later signing with London Irish. 

Adam Coleman – Western Sydney Two Blues – Tonga

Former Wallaby Adam Coleman, who started his career in the Shute Shield with the Two Blues, is another massive inclusion in an impressive Tongan squad.