Matt Utai played 167 NRL games across spells with the Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers

New South Wales Police has charged four teenagers over the drive-by shooting of former NRL player Matt Utai and the alleged arson attacks targeting his family in Sydney.

Utai sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and shoulder during a drive-by shooting in Sydney suburb Greenacre on Tuesday.

A 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man have both been charged with "accessory after the fact to shoot at with intent to murder".

A 18-year-old and another 19-year-old have both been charged with damaging property by fire, while the latter was also charged with supplying prohibited drugs.