Shute Shield’s 50 most influential players so far in 2023
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.
40. Brandon Quinn – Gordon
Gordon winger Brandon Quinn has only made six appearances for the Stags this season but he’s had a big impact in every match he’s played. He averages over one try per game, carries on average close to 15 metres per run and beats defenders almost every time he touches the ball.
39. Tom Morrison – Sydney Uni
Morrison was a 19-year old thrown in the deep to start in the Uni No.15 jersey at the start of the season. But now only did Morrison, who plays a lot like Damien McKenzie, find his feet, but he’s quickly become one of the most dangerous backs in the competition. Currently with the Junior Wallabies.
38. Thomas Maka – Gordon
Gordon’s great try thief. Maka has scored a heap of tries on the back of the Gordon maul but also pops up around the park and sniffs out opportunities everywhere. He’s scored eight times this season and is following in the footsteps of Mahe Vailanu very nicely.
37. Rilloy Suesue – Western Sydney
Two Blues coach Sailosi Tagicaubaki told Rugby News you could put Rilloy Suesue, and his brother Reece, in any position on the field and they’d make an impact. Rilloy has found his spot at No.9 and has been outstanding all season. He’s scored six tries and has directed the Two Blues brilliantly.
36. Matt Minogue – Eastwood
Minogue has earned his spot in the Eastwood No.10 jersey and seems to be getting better every week. He’s third on the top pointscorers list and he’s kicking at 87.8% this season.
35. Tristan Fuli – Gordon
Gordon prop Tristan Fuli looks like a nightmare to tackle. While he isn’t scoring as many five pointers as he did last season, his work around the park and at set piece time has helped Gordon to the pointy end of the Shute Shield ladder.
34. Archie Gavin – Eastern Suburbs
Another seriously good, tough No.7 in the competition. Gavin is ranked third for tackles made and second for dominant tackles. He’s also a pest at the breakdown and averages more than one pilfer a match.
33. Jack McGregor – Gordon
When Jack McGregor is playing well, Gordon is playing well. While his form was a little inconsistent in the early rounds, McGregor has set the competition alight at times in attack and looks destined for another professional rugby stint somewhere sooner rather than later.
32. Nick Duffy – Northern Suburbs
After a stint with the Force over summer, Norths No.9 Nick Duffy has returned to North Sydney Oval in terrific form. Duffy’s speed around the park allows Norths to play their expansive style. He is also arguably the best support runner in the competition and often throws the last past for Norths’ tries.
31. Connor Winchester – Hunter
Winchester has gone from strength to strength since returning to Newcastle to join the Wildfires. While he has plenty of weapons around him, he is the glue that keeps the side together.
- Yool Yool – Manly
Few players can create something out of nothing quite like Manly winger Yool Yool. On top of having the best name in the Shute Shield, Yool also leads the competition in linebreaks with 15 from 10 matches so far this year.
- Chlayton Frans – Hunter
Former Auckland Blues academy player Chlayton Frans is one of a number of Hunter forwards that have had a big impact since arriving in Newcastle over summer. Frans is a big body, he’s strong at lineout time and he’s made more linebreaks than any other No.6 in the competition so far this season.
- Harrison Goddard – Gordon
Limited time in the Shute Shield so far this season has robbed Harrison Goddard of a spot far higher up this list. Goddard can spark the Stags attack from the base of the ruck, or provide quick service and allow his outside backs to play with front foot ball. He’ll have a big impact at the back end of this season.
- Seb Cameron – Northern Suburbs
Arguably the best finisher in the competition, while Seb Cameron is playing on the end of a very, very good backline, he rarely fails to finish when given the opportunity. In 10 games so far this year, he’s made 13 linebreaks and scored seven tries.
- Teddy Wilson – Eastern Suburbs
Like Goddard, Wilson would likely be a lot higher on this list if he wasn’t splitting his time before the Beasties, Tahs and Junior Wallabies. Wilson is a future Wallaby, there’s little doubt about it at this stage. He can speed up a game almost as well as he can control it and plays with maturity well beyond his years. Look out if Wilson and the Beasties sneak into the finals.
- Ben Houston – Randwick
Back at Coogee after a stint on the dark side, Houston is one of the most consistent performers in the competition. The Randwick backrower ranks in the top five for tackles made and lineouts stolen and just outside the top 10 for linebreaks. He rarely has a bad game.
- Justin Marsters – West Harbour
West Harbour outside back Justin Marsters is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the competition. He leads the competition in offloads, by quite some way, ranks in the top three for carries and metres gained and in defence, averages just under one pilfer per match.
- Justin Mataele – Manly
One of, if not the biggest improver in the competition this year and extremely underrated. Manly have the best lineout in the competition and Mataele is their No.1 target. He leads the competition in lineout takes and is second for lineout steals. He’s also extremely mobile and valuable around the park and at 24, is probably a year or two off his prime playing years as a lock. Based on that, he should be a sniff at higher honours.
- Tiueti Asi – Hunter
31-year old club rugby journeyman Tiueti Asi is in career best form in Newcastle this season. The No.8 ranks in the top three for offloads and the top 10 for carries. He seems to break teams open in defence and swing momentum Hunter’s way in close to every match he plays.
- Max Clementson – West Harbour
Former England 7s player Max Clementon has set new standards at West Harbour both on and off the field since arriving over summer and the talented forwards around him have taken a big step forward with him. The super fit backrower, along with coach Cam Treloar, have turned the Pirates into the most improved side this year. They are in the fight every week and they are going to cause more upsets in the remaining rounds.
- Ben Dowling – Randwick
After making his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs earlier this year, former Aussie 7s gun Ben Dowling has been outstanding at fullback for Randwick. Dowling has speed to burn and ranks third for linebreaks and is in the top 10 for tackles breaks. He’s also a fantastic link player and has had a hand in some fantastic Randwick tries this season.
- Jack Bowen – Eastern Suburbs
Another that has split his time between Shute Shield, Super Rugby and the Junior Wallabies. When Bowen is in a Beasties’ jersey, Easts are a different side. He’s young and still has a few edges to smooth, but he’s unbelievably talented and looks set for a big future in professional rugby, if his performances in the Shute Shield this year are anything to go by.
- Aaron Blacklock – Manly
Manly have the best lineout in the competition and alongside lock Justin Mataele, veteran Aaron Blacklock is a big reason why. Blacklock is the most accurate lineout thrower in the competition with a 93.1% success rate. With other regular first grade hookers down in the 70s, it’s a massive advantage for the Marlins.
=16. Isikeli Fukofuka and Nick Dobson – Hunter
How many car trips back from Newcastle this year have been spent talking about the Wildfires scrum and lineout so far this year. The hunter props, Fukofuka and Dobson lead the best scrum in the competition and have a big impact at maul time. While they have plenty of other weapons, if Hunter win the comp this year, it’ll be on the back of these two and the Wildfires set piece.
- Luke Gersekowski – Northern Suburbs
Former Australian Schoolboys captain Luke Gersekowski is a quiet achiever but he’s got arguably the biggest motor in the competition. After joining Norths from Canberra over summer, Gersekowski has averaged close to 17 tackles per game, the most of any player in the competition. He’s also handy over the ball.
- Hunter Ward – Manly
While he’s only played seven matches so far this year, stopping him from featuring further up the list, young Manly backrower Hunter Ward has developed into one of the most dominant forwards in the competition. Ward has scored four tries in his seven matches and averages close to four tackle breaks a game. Another that looks destined for a long career in professional rugby.
- Enoka Muliufi – Eastwood
After regaining the additional kilos that he was told to lose in previous years, Woodies No.12 Enoka Muliufi has been back to his barnstorming best this season, constantly getting Eastwood over the advantage line. He is ranked second in the competition for tackle breaks, fifth for running metres and sixth for total carries. Put simply, he’s a player no one wants to tackle.
- Ben Marr – Warringah
While Warringah’s season hasn’t quite gone to plan, Ben Marr has remained the best player on the field in almost every match he’s played since returning from a season with the Aussie 7s. Despite playing only eight of 10 matches so far this year, Marr ranks in the top five for carries, running metres and tackle breaks and deserves a crack at Super Rugby.
- Andrew Tuala – Hunter
The linchpin of Hunter’s near impossible to stop driving maul, Hunter prop/hooker Andrew Tuala is another Wildfire who looks to be in career best form. Now 32, the former Waratahs forward has oodles of experience and class and is a big reason why Hunter find themselves at the pointy end of the Shute Shield ladder.
- Otu Mausia – Western Sydney
After earning three caps for Tonga on last year’s Spring Tour, new Two Blues fullback Otu Mausia has added more class to an exciting Western Sydney backline. The 26-year old, who is playing for a spot in Toutai Kefu’s World Cup squad, ranks in the top 10 for running metres, kicking metres and offloads and seems to score or set up a try in every game he plays.
- Milan Basson – Gordon
After spending the past few seasons playing behind Jordy Goddard at Chatswood, Milan Basson has been the competition’s biggest improver this season and should be right in the Catchpole Medal race. Basson ranks second for both tackles made and pilfers and third for dominant tackles.
- Coby Miln – Randwick
A stint in Japan last summer did the world of good for Randwick flyhalf Coby Miln who has led the Galloping Greens rise up the Shute Shield ladder. Miln is the competition’s top point scorer and averages more than 10 points a game so far this season. While he does concede more turnovers than any other player, he also has bucketloads of X factor and sparks most of Randwick’s attacking raids.
- Ofa Manuofetoa – Manly
Manly No.12 Ofa Manuofetoa has been one of the Marlins’ best in the opening 10 rounds. Manuofetoa was signed by the Newcastle Knights while still a schoolboy rugby star in New Zealand. He returned to rugby at Sydney Uni, then followed coach Chris DeLooze to Manly this year. He ranks in the top 10 for carries and metres gained and when he grows tired of running over defenders, he starts to pass and kick as well as any other No.12 in the competition. He’s got it all.
- Issac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens – Southern Districts
Rebels recruit Issac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens has been a standout week in week out since joining the Shute Shield from New Zealand. The fullback has run for more metres than any other player in the competition and averages more 124 metres gained per match. He also ranks third for tackles broken, eighth for carries and leaves his mark on every match he plays.
- Donny Freeman – Hunter
Every rugby side wants a Donny Freeman. The No.7 from Orange is dominant on both sides of the ball and ranks in the top 10 for pilfers and tackle breaks. Still only 23, he’s a bigger version of former Norths’ skipper Will Miller and looks destined for professional rugby. Sadly, a syndesmosis injury will keep him on the sidelines for the next little period, in a big blow for Hunter’s premiership hopes.
- Cormac Daly – Randwick
Randwick coach Stephen Hoiles wanted his young Randwick side to be tougher this year and Irish recruit Cormac Daly has led the development of that part of the Galloping Green’s game. The 25-year old lock ranks in the top 10 for carries, dominant tackles, pilfers and lineout takes. He’s also scored five tries and has played every minute of the 2023 season so far. He’s turned Randwick into a genuine premiership threat.
- Jude Gibbs – Northern Suburbs
After jumping over the bridge to join Norths from Sydney Uni, 22-year old flyhalf Jude Gibbs has ensured Norths’ remain a premiership threat. Gibbs is second on the top pointscorer list and has the best kicking game in the Shute Shield. His game management, particularly for a playmaker so young, is exceptional and exactly what professional clubs are looking for. On top of that, he’s studying to become a doctor and can probably sing and play guitar too.
- Michael Icely – Eastwood
Woodies backrower Michael Icely has been in career best form in the Shute Shield this season. He sits equal first on the top tryscorers list, ranks in the top five for dominant tackles and linebreaks and leads the competition in lineout steals. Still just 26, Icely has a lot more footy ahead of him and hopefully it’s in Australia.
- Zac Barnabas – Manly
A good Shute Shield source on the Northern Beaches believes Zac Barnabas is the best on the ball No.7 he’s ever seen play at Manly Oval and that list includes George Smith and Michael Hooper. That’s a massive wrap for a 22-year old, but Barnabas’ form so far this year has been that good.
He’s claimed 16 pilfers in 9 matches, some of which he played from the bench. He’s also scored seven tries and consistently arrives at defensive rucks faster than any other player in the competition. It’s worth enjoying watching Barnabas in the Shute Shield while we’ve got him, before he follows the likes of Smith and Hooper on to a bigger stage.