Hunter dominate this week’s team of the week following their fifth win from their opening six matches this season.

Elsewhere, Easts produced their best performance of 2023 to beat Uni, as did Eastwood to beat Norths, while Gordon, Western Sydney and Randwick also claimed important victories.

1) Andrew Tuala – Hunter

Hunter proved they are the real deal again on Saturday with a dominant bonus point victory over Warringah. Against a handy Rats front row, Tuala led his side to dominance at scrum and maul time. 

2) Hamish Moore – Hunter

In his run-on debut for the Wildfires, former Australian Schoolboys and Easts hooker Hamish Moore was outstanding, particularly at maul time. 

3) Nick Dobson – Hunter

You’ll notice a bit of a trend here, but it’s hard to understate just how dominant the Wildfires forwards have been in the opening six rounds. Packing down against Martin Mulhall, fresh from the Premiership in the UK, Dobson got the points on Saturday. 

4) Dan Stovold – Eastwood 

Young Dan Stovold looked at home in the big Eastwood forward pack. He’s another recent graduate of the Woodies vastly improved colts program and was a standout, particularly in defence against the Shoremen. 

5) Morgan Inness – Hunter

One of the unsung heroes of the Hunter forward pack, Kiwi lock Morgan Inness does all the hard work no one else wants to do and is a big reason why the Wildfires sit on top of the Shute Shield ladder after 6 rounds. 

6) Chlayton Frans – Hunter

Was too big and too strong for his rival Warringah forwards on Saturday and continues to prove to be one of the signings of the off season. 

7) Tavite Gadeisuva – Western Sydney

After missing the last few rounds through injury, Gadeisuva had a massive impact in his return for the Two Blues, scoring twice and causing headaches for Southern Districts all over the park. 

8) Milan Basson – Gordon

After waiting patiently for an opportunity in first grade, local junior Milan Basson has been brilliant since making the Stags No.8 jersey his own. He made 33 tackles in his side’s tight win over West Harbour and claimed three pilfers. 

9) Teddy Wilson – Eastern Suburbs

It’s important to keep reminding yourself that Teddy Wilson and his halves partner could both still be playing colts this year. Wilson is a future Wallaby and proved it again in his side’s impressive win over Uni. 

10) Jack Bowen – Eastern Suburbs

Maybe it was the Ladies Day crowd at Woollahra that got the Easts boys up on Saturday, but Bowen, like Wilson, was back to his best. While Bowen still has parts of his game to work on and will likely get a lot out of spending the next few months playing with the Junior Wallabies, the Tahs No.10 jersey isn’t far off either. 

11) Daniel Ala – Eastwood 

While his wing partner Sione Hopoate scored two tries, Ala popped up all over the field and had an impact every time he touched the ball. 

12) Enoka Muilifi – Eastwood 

Beat 8 defenders in 12 carries and got Eastwood over the advantage line all afternoon against Norths. Plus he scored a try and set up another. 

13) Mosese Tuipulotu – Easts

It would be a great shame if Mosese Tuipulotu followed his brother to Scotland, but it’d be hard to blame him at the same time. Having just turned 22, Tuipulotu has a lot he could offer to Australian rugby. He’s a big, strong centre with silky hands and he used them to throw the final pass for two crucial tries to get Easts back into the game in the first half against Uni. 

14) Brandon Quinn – Gordon

Quinn used his footwork to create something out of nothing and score a crucial try for Gordon that was the difference in the Stags five point win over West Harbour. 

15) Otu Mausia – Western Sydney

Mausia did everything well on Saturday and let some lippy Southern Districts’ lower graders know about it after scoring the final try in West Harbour’s big win over the Rebels at Forshaw. Mausia breaks tackles or finds space almost every time he touches the ball.