LIST: The most dangerous players in the 2020 Shute Shield
They are the Shute Shield troublemakers and danger men. Players with the most ground made, creative plays and accurate boots. So who are the players causing grief for rivals?
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It’s been a season to remember for the Shute Shield with Super Rugby players returning en-mass and a new generation of youngsters getting time on the field.
Each week rookies have debuted, veterans have led by example and new names have joined familiar stars on the top of points and try ladders.
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We put the spotlight on some of the players who have caused grief to their rivals this season for an assortment of reasons.
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SOUTHERN COMFORT
Name: Christian Kagiassis
Club: Southern Districts
A former talented rugby league schoolboy who has provided stability to an outfit ravaged by injury, including the loss of captain Marcus Carbone and Harry McLellan for the season.
Week in and week out this gritty player has scored and converted for Southern Districts who have blooded more than 40 players this season to cover injury and illness.
Kagiassis has been instrumental in keeping Souths in the race for a finals spot despite playing multiple positions - from wing to fullback, No 12 and No 10 - to cover injuries
In Souths 39-38 thriller against Warringah, he scored a hat-trick of tries.
MAN OF THE MOMENT
Name: Mahe Vailanu
Club: Gordon
Vailanu is the man the Gordon Highlanders turn to when they need points on the board.
And he’s always happy to oblige.
Vailanu has been on the pointy end of the try scorers ladder from the start of the delayed season and heading into round 12 had chipped in eight to help Gordon remain on top of the point score ladder.
The 23-year-old hooker is creative and an opportunist who has played Super Rugby for the Rebels.
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SUPER STAR
Name: Alex Newsome
Club: Eastern Suburbs
Newsome has injected something extra into Eastern Suburbs following his recent return from Waratahs and Super Rugby duties.
With the Beasties struggling early in the season, the injection of Newsome and other Super Ruby players has proved invaluable to the club.
Newsome scored an incredible four tries in Easts resounding 56-19 win over Penrith last round.
A week earlier he scores against Manly and then in his return for the club in round 10 he scored the opener against reigning champions Sydney Uni in a win which put Eastern Suburbs back on track for the finals.
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HARD TO HANDLE
Name: Josh Holmes
Club: Warringah
Playing with enormous confidence as the competition heads to the business end of the season.
The Warringah halfback is known for his ability to read a game well and is hard for his rivals to handle.
“He is just experienced and reads the game so well and has great anticipations,’’ said coach Michael Ruthven of one of his star players in the 2020 season.
A seasoned veteran and former Waratah who can get himself up for big games and big occasions which makes him especially dangerous.
ON THE MOVE
Name: Enoka Muliufu
Club: Eastwood
One of the best players on the pitch for Eastwood week in and week out.
The 25-year-old centre has made more than 400m this season and around 20 clean breaks.
“He has been outstanding,’’ said Eastwood coach Ben Batger.
“He can keep going all day.’’
The Samoan player, who lives in Australia, moved to Eastwood in 2018 and has played at the club since.
SPEEDSTER PROVING INVALUABLE
Name: Nick Duffy
Club: Northern Suburbs
Hard to pick one man from an outfit which has proved itself one of the favourites to claim the Shute Shield this season.
But Duffy, born and bred in Dubbo but now firmly ensconced at Northern Suburbs, has been excellent.
A graduate of the Norths program, the Norths halfback has speed to burn and gives incredible service.
Norths and Gordon have been the form teams of the Shute Shield regular season.
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EXPERIENCE COUNTS
Name: Tim Clements
Club: Sydney University
The highly talented Students fullback leads by example and has plenty of experience when it comes to playing high pressure football.
A longstanding member of the club, Clements played in both Sydney Uni’s 2018 and 2019 grand final successes.
He is one of the form players in attack for the club each week and crucial to their bid for a three-peat this season if they make the finals cut.
Ready to help out across the ground, he has scored six invaluable tries this season to be among the top 16 in the competition.
FORMER RAT SPARKS MANLY
Name: Harley Attwater
Club: Manly Warringah
Attwater has been astounding for Manly, a club he joined after the season start from the Warringah Rats.
Attwater said the move was to get more opportunity and he had plenty of that at Manly, especially in the fiery local derby with Warringah.
It was in this game the fly half showed how dangerous he could be, scoring in the 52nd minute and nailing four from five conversions and two from two penalties in the emotional encounter.
An outright star in this game he has shown his worth to Manly by frequently featuring in the top 10 conversions list while scoring valuable tries/.
DEADLY BOOT
Name: Rodney Iona
Club: Gordon
This capped Samoan Test player boasts one of the most deadly boots in the game.
He’s the man who has finished off the job for the Galloping Greens this season and done so with style and aplomb.
Heading into round 11 he shares the honour of being the competitions top converter with Eastwood youngster Tane Edmed (40).
Born and bred in Melbourne, Iona is a world traveller with stints at the Brumbies and Western Force and France and Spain.
DANGEROUS YOUNG GUN
Name: Triston Reilly
Club: Randwick
He has only played two thirds of the year and has scored eight tries in eight games.
A loyal Randwick man, Reilly played for colts and made his grade debut last season.
This year he has come into his own with the young speedster turning heads with his flair and try-scoring ability.
“He is fast, creative and just finds his way to the try line which is a good trait to have,’’ said Randwick coach Ben McCormack
In the Junior Wallabies touring side last year, he sits only being Ben Marr and James Turner with nine tries each and is level with Mahe Vailanu with his eight.
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OUT OF THE BLUE
Name: Kalafi Pongi
Club: Western Sydney Two Blues
The prop has been a sensation for the Western Sydney two Blues this season.
While the club have struggled to find form in 2020 and will end the competition near the bottom of the table, Pongi has been a standout for the club.
The former New Zealand and Tongan Under 20s star instead left the field after the game against Penrith with a hat-trick of tries.
It was the two Blues first win of the season.