We’re now eight rounds in to the 2023 Shute Shield season and while not all sides have played one another just yet, most coaches have had a chance to take a look at majority of their rivals in the first part of the season.

We asked each coach which opposition player they’ve been most impressed with so far this year and 17 different names from right across the competition were mentioned.

Souths – Jayson Brewer

“I’ve been really impressed with Presley Tufuga from West Harbour and Michael Icely from Eastwood,” Brewer told Rugby News. 

“Tufuga is a big powerful No.8 that gets his side over the gainline and Icely has a fantastic workrate around the pitch.”

Sailosi Tagicakibau – Western Sydney

“I’ve been really impressed with Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, he’s been a stand out for Souths this season,” Tagicakibau told Rugby News. 

“Isaac’s old man Eric was my team trainer back in Taranaki, so I remember him and his brother as kids being around training. 

“To see him do so well in the Shute Shield, it’s no surprise.”

Simon Kneebone – Eastern Suburbs

“Probably the player who has impressed me the most so far has been one of our own,” Kneebone told Rugby News. 

“Our backrower Josh Bokser joined us from Souths over the summer. He puts his body on the line every week and never gives up.”

Zak Beer – Northern Suburbs 

“In terms of opposition players, I think Hunter Ward from Manly has started the year well,” Beer said. 

“He’s continued to develop his game from his colts days and you can see that training full-time with the Waratahs this year has helped him go to another level.”

Scott Coleman – Hunter

“I really like the look of Ben Houston from Randwick. He makes a massive difference to that side every week,” Coleman said. 

“Ratu Tuisese from Eastwood is also a beast. Then when Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen are playing for Easts, they look like a different side. Both young blokes are killing it.”

Billy Melrose – Gordon 

“There’s almost too many to mention,” Melrose, the veteran Shute Shield coach, said. 

“I’m not sure what the name of the “Hunter maul” is, but it’s going pretty well. Also in Newcastle, Alesana Pohla looks dangerous every time he touches the ball and Connor Winchester at flyhalf has also been great.  

“Jude Gibbs at Norths also seems to have some talent at No.10.”

Mike Ruthven – Warringah

“Zac Barnabas has been outstanding for Manly and is proving each and every week that there is still a strong place in the game for a traditional on-the-ball No.7,” Ruthven told Rugby News. 

“He’s got a huge work rate and an incredible skill set in and around the breakdown.”

Damien Hill – Sydney Uni

“Josh Bokser, the No.6 at Easts has a really high work rate and is always popping up in support,” Hill told Rugby News. 

“He was really effective in contact and at set piece time when we played them at Woollahra in round six. 

“Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, Souths’ fullback, is also a real threat with ball in hand and tested our edges quite a bit last week,”

Steve Hoiles – Randwick 

“I’ve been impressed with how seamlessly Jude Gibbs has settled into the Norths’ side,” Hoiles told Rugby News. 

“He’s still only young but plays a really mature style of game.”

Ben Batger – Eastwood 

“I haven’t seen all the teams yet but I think the fullbacks at Two Blues and Souths, Otu Mausia and Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, have both been very good so far this year,” Batger said. 

“Donny Freeman, the No.7 at the Wildfires has also been excellent.”

Cam Treloar – West Harbour

“The player that has most impressed me so far this season is Milan Basson at Gordon,” Treloar told Rugby News. 

“He’s been incredibly consistent. His work rate just never seems to dip in games and he has some real defensive sting in his tackles.”