The Shute Shield has been run and won for another year, with Randwick claiming the 2023 final after holding off Norths in a thrilling grand final at Leichhardt Oval late last month. 

Not it’s time to select the Shute Shield team of the year and we’d like the fans and our Rugby News readers to help. 

Over the coming weeks, all readers will be able to vote for one player in each position. If an individual votes more than once (in each position category), their votes will not be counted. 

To be eligible to be nominated for the Shute Shield team of the year, players must have: 

• Polled at last 7 Catchpole Medal votes in 2023, as voted by Shute Shield coaches after each regular season match
• Scored eight or more tries this in the regular season

In certain positions, the top six or seven players that met this criteria were nominated. 

Use the form at the bottom of the article to enter your vote before the end of September. The votes will then be tallied and the Shute Shield team of the year will be announced in early October.

No.8s

Prez Tufuga – West Harbour

West Harbour No.8 Prez Tufuga finished in the top five in the Catchpole Medal, highlighting the Kiwi’s class and consistency throughout 2023. 

Hunter Ward – Manly

Another young Manly forward who looks destined for professional rugby, Hunter Ward was consistently one of the Marlin’s best, particularly through the first half of the season. 

Tueti Asi – Hunter

A standout at the back of the scrum for the Wildfires, Asi finished the season ranked in the top three for total carries and bent the line pretty much every time he touched the back. 

Ratu Tuisese – Eastwood

One of the most underrated backrowers in the competition, Woodies forward Ratu Tuisese continued to dominate and edge closer towards a well deserved stint in professional rugby. 

Luke Gersekowski – Norths

The former Australian Schoolboys captain joined Norths from Canberra this year and finished the season with the third most tackles in the competition. 

Ben Houston – Randwick

After a stint with the West Tigers over summer, Randwick skipper Ben Houston returned to lead the Galloping Greens to a breakthrough premiership and finished in the top 10 for tries, tackles and lineout steals.