The June long weekend comes just over halfway through the 2023 Shute Shield regular season and we’ve now had plenty of time to take a look at all 12 sides. 

So with no matches over the weekend, we thought we’d pull together a list of the 50 most influential players in the Shute Shield, based solely off their performances so far this season. 

The list was compiled based on conversations with all 12 Shute Shield coaches and a number of key competition statistics. 

To be eligible for the list, players must have played at least five of the 10 competition games so far this season. 

50. Prez Tufuga – West Harbour

Big, bad backrower Prez Tufuga is ranked second in the competition for most carries across the opening 10 rounds and has helped convert the Pirates’ into arguably the most improved forward pack this season. 

49. Jackson Ropata – Southern Districts

Still only 19, Jackson Ropata has gone from strength to strength after joining the Waratahs academy over summer and making his Shute Shield debut earlier this year. Now with the Junior Wallabies, Ropata is a player to watch. 

48. Sitiveni Moceidreke – Western Sydney

Two Blues outside centre Sitiveni Moceidreke is big, fast and strong. It’s a pretty good combination and it’s helped him score six tries so far this year. On average, he beats almost two defenders every match and is always tough to stop, particularly with fullback Otu Mausia floating about around him. 

47. Sam Thomson – Warringah

While he’s had to spilt his time between Rat Park and Canberra after making his Shute Shield debut this year, Thomson has excelled in his six appearances for the Rats so far, particularly at lineout time where he is one of the top performers in the competition. 

46. Jack McCalman – Sydney Uni

There’s been a lot of change at Sydney Uni over the past 12-24 months, but captain Jack McCalman has been able to up skill and guide the younger players around him to bring them up to Shute Shield speed. McCalman has a massive motor, tackles all day and is a pest at the breakdown week in, week out. 

45. Ivan Fepuleai – Manly

Manly prop Ivan Fepuleai has turned into a try scoring machine of late and averages a five pointer a match so far this year. On top of that, he’s helped turn the Marlin’s set piece into a serious weapon. 

44. Josh Bokser – Eastern Suburbs

After moving from Souths to Easts over summer, Bokser has become one of coach Simon Kneebone’s favourite players at Woollahra. He hits as hard as any player in the competition and steals plenty of lineouts. 

43. Tavite Gadeisuva – Western Sydney

Easily one of the Two Blues best week in, week out, No.7 Tavite Gadeisuva is a work horse and is great at the breakdown. Gadeisuva’s work rate allows the Two Blues to throw the ball around, when they are at their most dangerous. 

42. Boston Kerapa – Northern Suburbs

In a very good forward pack, backrower Boston Kerapa makes an impact every match. He’s in the top three for dominant tackles and the top 10 for total tackles made. He’s also handy at the breakdown and a serious threat with ball in hand when attacking on the edge. 

41. Jac Lloyd – Sydney Uni

Sydney Uni have won four matches this year by seven points or less and 20-year old Welsh recruit Jac Lloyd is a big reason why. The fullback is the best goal kicker in the competition. He’s kicking at 92.9% this season, having missed just two shots from 28 attempts after arriving in Sydney earlier this year. He’ll be very helpful come finals time.