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

To be eligible, players must have been born in 1999 or later and have played first grade in the last month. 

Props: Sateki Latu (Warringah) & Darcy Breen (Sydney Uni)

Rats coach Mike Ruthven singled out Sateki Latu as a player to watch this year and the 23-year old prop hasn’t disappointed. At his best, Latu has shades of Taniela Tupou about him around the park and has taken big steps forward at set piece time this year. 

Also 23, Darcy Breen is part of the Waratahs squad and arguably one of the best scrummagers in the competition. He’ll play a crucial role in the Students premiership campaign later this year. 

Hookers: Ciaran Loh (Sydney Uni)

Sydney Uni’s attacking maul is the best in the competition and Ciaran Loh starts and finishes most of those from close to the line. Loh has scored seven tries already this season and looks to be a future Super Rugby player. 

Special mention also goes to Randwick’s Oli Barden who is also impressing at Coogee. 

Locks: Max Douglas (Manly) & Fred Fewtrell (Warringah)

For two kids still growing into their bodies, Manly’s Max Douglas and Warringah recruit Fred Fewtrell are both thriving in the Shute Shield. 

Douglas is arguably the best young player in the competition and looks to be a future Wallaby. He was thrown in the deep end with the Waratahs last year, but has bounced back bigger and better this season. 

Fewtrell is only 21 and has already spend a season playing Top League in Japan with Shizuoka Blue Revs. Like Douglas, he’ll continue to get better with age. 

Flankers: Hunter Ward (Manly) & Ben Houston (Randwick)

The Shute Shield is blessed with some seriously talented young backrowers, making this the hardest position to pick. 

In the end, Hunter Ward and Ben Houston get the nod for their consistent performances over the past two seasons. Both Ward and Houston have come into their own this season though and still have lots of upside. 

Special mentions also go to Carlo Tizzano at West Harbour, Donny Freeman up in Newcastle, Kiwi Josh Bokser at Souths and Uni’s Papilon Savele. 

Manly’s Langi Gleeson also misses out as he hasn’t played Shute Shield in the past month. Everyone should no how good he is by now though.  

No.8: Hugh Bokenham (Sydney Uni)

Former Joeys gun Hugh Bokenham was earmarked for big things from his schooling days and still has some filling out to do. Regardless, he can play No.8 or lock and is big, tough and hardworking. Another with a big future ahead of him. 

Scrumhalf: Henry Robertson (Sydney Uni) 

Possibly one of the most underrated players in the competition, 23-year old Sydney Uni No.9 Henry Robertson has shown his class at University Oval so far this year. 

While he’s been stuck behind Uni teammate Jake Gordon and Easts rake Jack Grant at the Tahs, it won’t be too long until Robertson cracks the professional rugby ranks somewhere. 

Flyhalf: Jack Bowen (Easts)

In his first year our of school, 18-year old Eastern Suburbs flyhalf Jack Bowen has been a shining light in a very disappointing opening half of the season at Woollahra. 

Bowen is well built for an 18-year old and hasn’t looked out of place playing against men. He has bucketloads of potential. 

Special mention also goes to English import Tom Curtis who has been brilliant for the Two Blues and Warringah’s Conor Hickey. 

Centre: Max Burey (Norths) & Nic Benn (Manly)

Another difficult one to pick with plenty of contenders. 

Max Burey is a star and could probably be picked at three positions in this side. Like his brother (not Jack), Burey is a natural footballer and made his debut for the Aussie 7s last month. It would be great to see him get a crack at some stage at a professional XVs contract. 

On form, Manly’s Nic Benn gets the nod over Mosese Tuipulotu at Easts, Nick Chan at Randwick and Eddie Poolman at Uni, who are all super talented. 

Benn has been the most improved player in the competition so far this year and has played a big part in Manly’s rise up the Shute Shield ladder. He can seriously play. 

Wing: Angus Bell (Sydney Uni) & Faiva Faiva (Western Sydney)

After spending last season in the Aussie 7s program, Uni winger Angus Bell has been super impressive out wide for the Students. He has lightning speed and rarely makes a mistake. 

22-year old Two Blues flyer Faiva Faiva has also had a breakout season on the wing for Western Sydney and had helped his side push up the ladder in the first half of the year. 

Fullback: Will Goddard (Sydney Uni)

When Sydney Uni lost Tim Clements, arguably the best and most consistent back in the competition over recent years, to the Aussie 7s program, they somehow replaced him with a younger version of himself. Goddard has been brilliant in his first full season in first grade and still looks to be getting better every week. 

Special mentions also go to Eastwood’s Lachie Shelley and Beasties recruit Luke Glen.