The Shute Shield is stacked with young players ready to take the next step in their rugby careers. With a big year of rugby ahead of us, we thought we’d take a look at the best young players in the competition, 23-years old and under. 

To be eligible, players must have been born in 2001 or later and have played first grade this year or last.

Props: Paddy Tagg (Sydney Uni) & Jack Barrett (Randwick)

After spending last season in Perth with the Western Force academy, 22-year old former Junior Wallabies prop Paddy Tagg has earned his spot in first grade this season and impressed in the opening rounds.

Jack Barrett hasn’t played much Shute Shield rugby, but after dominating at U18 and U20 level, the red-headed Randwick forward from Lightning Ridge is arguably the most exciting front row prospect in the country and he’s still eligible to play colts.

Hookers: Hamish Moore (Hunter)

Walgett boy Hamish Moore has found a home at the Hunter Wildfires and developed into the best young hooker in the Shute Shield. Moore has spent time training in Perth with the Western Force but seems to have learnt plenty from the experienced Wildfires’ forwards over the past two years.

Locks: Angus Houston (Randwick) and Dane Terekia (Warringah)

A taller version of his extremely talented brother Ben, Angus Houston looks to be an out and out lock who is still growing and getting better. Angus was on the fringe of Randwick’s premiership side last year but looks likely to cement a spot in first grade this season and push for higher honours from there.

Two Blues colts’ product Dane Terekia made the move to Warringah this season but is another player that looks suited to Super Rugby. He’s big, tough and mobile and has a big future ahead of him.

Special mentions also go to Two Blues lock Paula Waqa and Uni utility forward Max Von Appen.

Flankers: Boston Kerapa (Norths) and Zac Barnabas (Warringah)

After breaking into first grade as a 21-year old, Boston Kerepa has been one of the Shute Shield’s most consistent forwards for several years now. Still just 23, Kerapa makes a mountain of tackles every game and seems to have the work rate for higher honours.

Zac Barnabas was the breakout star of last season and probably would have won the Catchpole Medal most other seasons. Now 23, he’s moved north to join his brother at Warringah and made an immediate impact in his first start at Rat Park last weekend. If the new tackle laws are introduced at Super Rugby and international level, Barnabas could be anything.

No.8: Chlayton Frans (Warringah)

Another talented forward recruited by Warringah this season, former Hunter No.8 Chlayton Frans is 22, 6 foot 3 and 100 plus kilos. The Kiwi, who played NPC with North Harbour before moving to Australia still has a lot of upside and will add plenty to the Rats this season.

Scrumhalf: Teddy Wilson (Easts)

It’s easy to forget that Teddy Wilson is only 21-years old. The son of former Wallaby David Wilson made his Super Rugby debut in 2022, dominated as captain of the Junior Wallabies in 2023 and could be the missing link for Easts in 2024 if he remains in the Shute Shield.

Flyhalf: Jude Gibbs (Norths)

If Zac Barnabas was the breakout star of last season, Jude Gibbs was a close second. Gibbs has been around the Shute Shield for a number of years but showed his true class last year by leading Norths to a grand final, and very nearly a premiership, in his first season at the club. Gibbs has a great rugby IQ and plenty of poise. Professional rugby shouldn’t be too far away.

Special mention to Jack Bowen, who at 21, also has a heap of upside.

Centres: Nick Chan (Randwick) & Mosese Tuipulotu (Easts) 

Hard running, hard tackling Randwick centre Nick Chan played just about every minute of the Galloping Greens premiership campaign and was one of a number of unsung heroes in that side. He’s another on the precipice of professional rugby.

Mosese Tuipulotu has been on the scene for a few years now and potentially still hasn’t shown just how good he can be. But the potential is there and he recently turned down interest to join his brother, Scottish international Sione Tuipulotu, in Glasgow. He could play an important role for Easts, the Waratahs and potentially the Wallabies in the year to come.

Wing: Ronan Leahy (Sydney Uni) & Vuate Karawalevu (West Harbour)

Ronan Leahy is a 20-year old with the same build and a similar skillset to Joseph Suaalii who signed with the Western Force straight out of school and is playing with Sydney Uni this season. He’s still very young, but has the build and game to dominate the Shute Shield and the next level.

Vuate Karawalevu was a standout for West Harbour last season after joining the club from rugby league. The Waratahs outside back hasn’t cracked the sky blue just yet, but is a dominant force at Shute Shield level.

Special mentions also go to young Archie Saunders at Warringah, Jack Mossman at Easts and JL Bacon at Eastwood.

Fullback: James Hendren (Randwick)

After an injury riddled 2023 season, we might see just how good 21-year old James Hendren is this season at fullback for the Galloping Greens. Big, strong and lightning quick, Hendren is one of a number of electric Randwick backs to watch this season.