After two rounds, Norths, Hunter and Easts are the only remaining undefeated sides. Here is our team of the round from another top weekend of Shute Shield rugby over Easter.

Image: Stewart Hazell & David MacLean

1) Andrew Tuala – Hunter

The Waratahs prop showed good strength to score from close range late in the match to put his side up by seven points. Tuala was also very good at set piece time, giving the Wildfires a great platform to attack from. 

2) James Margan – Norths

Margan was back in the starting side at North Sydney Oval and didn’t dissapoint. He scored one of his side’s multiple tries from mauls and was solid at lineout time. Margan also claimed two pilfers in a solid 50 minute stint.  

3) Vunipola Fifita – Easts

If Easts are to challenge for a breakthrough premiership later this year, their front row will need to stand up and the early signs are good. Fifita impressed at scrum time and carried well around the park. 

4) Luke Ratcliff – Sydney Uni

It was a Good Friday clash at Rat Park dominated by big, tough forwards and Uni lock Luke Ratcliff was one of the best. Ratcliff ran a great line to score an important try in the second half and made 18 tackles. 

5) Zac Von Appen – Sydney Uni

Von Appen was equally impressive on the back of making his Super Rugby debut earlier this year. He’s a quiet achiever, but he hits harder than most in the Shute Shield and caused plenty of sore bodies on the Northern Beaches. 

6) Charlie McKill – Warringah

While his side fell short, McKill was a standout in a losing side, claiming four pilfers under lights at Rat Park. He is quickly establishing himself as one of the best backrowers in the competition. 

7) Zac Barnabas – Manly

The latest local junior to graduate Manly’s impressive colts program, Barnabas showed he’s ready for first grade, scoring two tries and making 15 tackles in the Marlin’s impressive win over Eastwood. 

8) Richard Clift – Warringah

Up against some of the biggest and most physical forwards in the competition, Richard Clift was at his brutal best and made 18 tackles on a tough and tight evening at Warringah. 

9) Ruan Du Plooy – Manly

A South African who has played most of his senior rugby in New Zealand, Du Plooy now finds himself at Manly and scored two tries, including a crucial five pointer against the run of play late in the match.  

10) Wiseguy Faiane – Western Sydney

Western Sydney’s recruit played his best match in Two Blues colours. He scored a brilliant individual try early in the match from a show and go that Gordon defenders are still trying to track down. 

11) Sione Hopoate – Eastwood

The rugby league convert showed great footwork to score a try without a lot of room midway through Eastwood’s tight loss to Manly. The winger with the famous last name is in the Tahs’ wider squad and is worth keeping an eye on. 

12) Sione Taufui – Sydney Uni

After biding his time in lower grades, Uni No.12 Sione Taufui is making the most of his time in first grade and impressed again in a tight match at Rat Park. The big bodied No.12 knows how to get over the advantage line and did so quite a bit against Warringah. 

13) Tom Watson – Hunter 

Bubba Coleman’s decision to play star recruit Alex Pohla from the bench has raised plenty of eye brows. But it makes a bit more sense after watching Tom Watson play at No.13 in the opening two rounds. Watson hits hard in defence and rarely makes a bad decision in that crucial edge channel. 

14) Seb Cameron – Norths

Cameron had a blinder against the Rebels, scoring a try, breaking a heap of tackles and running for over 135 metres. 

15)  Ben Pollack – Gordon

Pollack showed great pace to score the match clinching try against Western Sydney and was dangerous every time he touched the ball. He ran for just under 150 metres against the Two Blues.