THE Brumbies are up and running in 2013.
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Scone will today run its inaugural Magic Millions Scone 7s Rugby Tournament.
It’s the first time – at least for a while – the Brumbies have staged a pre-season tournament and they’ve been buoyed by the response.
“We’ve got about 18 teams playing,” Brumbies president Jeff Watt said.
“They’re coming from far and wide.”
The draw includes teams from Newcastle, Muswellbrook, Hunters Hill, Southern Lakes, Lake Macquarie, Hermidale and Parkes, and brandishing names like the Pickled Porkers and the Goat Poachers.
Fellow Central North clubs Pirates and Gunnedah also have sides competing.
The Central North Hogs will also be there fresh from reaching the final at the Cresent Head 7s last weekend.
The Brumbies themselves will have a few teams competing.
The teams have been split into two divisions – premier and Fat Boyz, which is for players over 100kg.
Winners of the premier division will pick up $2000 while $1000 will be awarded to the Fat Boyz champions.
The Brumbies are looking to make the 7s an annual event and, while rugby will be the main focus, there will be plenty happening off the field.
It’ll be the “Gold Coast in the Hunter Valley”.
“It’ll be a bit of a carnival day,” Watt said.
“There’ll be music from 11am and fancy dress.”
The onfield action will get underway at 9.35am with the premier final to conclude the day, set to kick-off at 5.40pm.
It was a few of the new faces who initiated the tournament.
“We’ve had a few guys turn up from North Queensland for work,” Watt said.
They’ve been involved in 7s tournaments around Mackay and Cairns.
The shorter form of the game is growing in popularity and is a fun way to get into the season.
The Brumbies will have other trial games down the track.
Things are coming along pretty well.
They have a new coach on board this season with Ryan Dunnett taking over from Watt, and have picked up a few new recruits.
“We’ve had really good numbers to training,” Watt said.