One of the most enjoyable aspects of following the Shute Shield each year is watching young players develop into quality first graders, then go on to higher honours. 

After two Covid interrupted seasons, there’s now an impressive crop of new players ready to make their mark on the competition. 

Most players on this list now have a few seasons of senior rugby under their belts and will likely be the types of players we’ll be hearing plenty about throughout the 2022 season. 

Ben Marr – Warringah

Marr was one of the competition’s best in the early parts of last season before shoulder surgery ruined his chances of picking up a professional contract. 

This year, he’ll captain and lead a Warringah side who were the big improvers last season. 

When Marr has the ball, play seems to slow down around him and he’s the type of player that is able to make his teammates better. 

Tyzac Jordan – Southern Districts

After moving from Randwick to the Rebels, No.9 Tyzac Jordan provided an immediate spark playing behind Souths’ big forward pack. 

Jordan is a quick, nippy scrumhalf and plays a similar style to former Rebels No.9 Dewet Roos. If his forwards provide a platform in front of him, Jordan will have a big impact on every game he plays in this season. 

Harry Wilson – Eastwood

The big Eastwood outside back, who can play fullback or outside centre, was the Waratahs best by quite some way in a recent match against the Brumbies Runners. 

Wilson is big, strong and fast with good ball skills and nice footwork. If his performance last weekend is anything to go by, he’s in for a big year in the Shute Shield and might not be far off at Super Rugby level either. 

Lona Halahola – Hunter Wildfire

New Wildfires’ No.8 Lona Halahola was the best player in Queensland’s Premier Rugby competition last year and has moved south to push for a spot in the Waratahs squad. 

After spending the summer at Daceyville, the 24-year old is now in Newcastle and is intent on using this Shute Shield season to push up Darren Coleman’s back row pecking order at the Tahs. 

Lona’s older brother is Welsh and Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo. 

Ben Houston – Randwick

Houston was a standout in a young Randwick forward pack last year. According to his coach Ben McCormack, the backrowers body is now ready to match the aggression and enthusiasm that he’s always played with. 

Houston has a huge motor and is handy at lineout time and will play a big role if Randwick are to move up the ladder this season.