The top 5 players in the NRC

Jordan Jackson-Hope (Vikings)

Jordan signed a Brumbies development contract in late 2015 and burst onto the scene with a number of strong performances in 2016.

Born and Bred in Canberra, the 20-year-old attended St Edmonds College, captaining their 1st XV and was selected for both the ACT and Australian Schoolboys.

After Jordan was picked to play for Australia at the junior World Cup in Manchester in June this year, the Brumbies asked the Australian Rugby Union to release him from part of Australia's Under-20s World Cup preparations to stay in Canberra in case he is needed for Super Rugby duties.

He then made his debut midway through the 2016 Super Rugby season, scoring 1 try in two substitute appearances.

 
Sam talakai (Brisbane City)

Clearing his path in the NSW system, Sam was determined to get a clearer shot at the top level.

His performances in the NRC impressed Reds forwards coach Nick Stiles and he was signed to an Elite Development Squad contract, going on to be a regular starter for the Reds in the 2015 Super Rugby season and earn a spot in the Senior Squad for 2016. 

 Sam has also gone against his first cousin, England prop Mako Vunipola, in a clash against the British & Irish Lions in 2013.

 
Chris Kuridrani (Brisbane City)

After attending school at Ipswich Grammar, Kuridrani was selected to play at the U20 World Championships for Fiji in just his first year out of school in 2010.

He made the Australia U20 team at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championships as an injury replacement and scored a try in the semi-finals against New Zealand.

The Brisbane-born then made his Super Rugby debut in the Reds' final match against New South Wales in 2014, revealing that a weekly phone call from older brother Nemani Nadolo helped guide him through his first full season of Super Rugby.

The two brothers are cousins of Wallabies outside centre Tevita Kuridrani.

Andrew Deegan (NSW Eagles)

Having represented Randwick Rugby, Deegan ended his season at the club as the highest point scorer with seven tries, 53 conversions, 20 penalty goals and three field goals for a total of 210 points, winning him the Roscoe Fay Trophy.

A former Australian U20s representative, the flyhalf played a crucial role in navigating his team's on-field performance and demonstrated skillful plays as well as excellence.

David Horwitz (NSW Eagles)

Horwitz came into the NRC with NSW Country after an outstanding season for Randwick RFC, in which he was awarded the 2015 Ken Catchpole Medal for the Shute Shield Player of the Year.

Born in Sydney to South African parents, the 21-year-old learnt his rugby at Easts Wallaroos and Scots College.

He played a key role in a successful season for the NSW Country Eagles in the Buildcorp NRC, starting in every match last year.

Horwitz became the only Jewish Super Rugby player when he made his Super Rugby debut wearing the NSW no. 12 jersey.