A new look New England Rugby Union competition is set for action this Saturday with a different line-up in the top-tier teams this year.
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Gone is the Glen Innes-Guyra side from last year and coming in is former Central North Club the Tamworth Magpies.
The Magpies’ introduction to the New England competition is a tough one with a first round clash with back-to-back reigning premiers St Albert’s College at Tamworth Rugby Park.
Magpies coach Peter Burke said numbers and enthusiasm are sky-high, and it’s now a matter of putting it into practice on Saturday.
“We’ve had a lot of new players come to the club this year, with four of these new players to make their first grade debut this weekend, along with two other debutantes,” he said.
“We’ve also got three guys returning after a few years off in what is a new look side from 2017.”
Albies on the other hand have had a limited preparation, and were on the receiving end of a lopsided although competitive scoreline from reigning Far North Coast premiers Wollongbar Alstonville in their only real pre-season trial.
Despite retaining a solid core of last year’s premiership winning side, the changes are significant.
“While not having the ideal preparation it has still been solid,” coach Chris Kelly said. “
We will be fielding a young, exciting and motivated side for the Tamworth clash on Saturday with high expectations for the season ahead.”
“I am happy with how we are shaping up for the season and we will put on a good show of running rugby. It is going to be very hot on Saturday with 33 degrees predicted so it will certainly be a test of fitness for 80 minutes which will be a large part of our plan.”
At Bellevue Oval, last year’s runners-up Robb College will host an Armidale Blues side keen to atone for a disappointing season last year. Robb have kept many of last year’s squad while Armidale have a number of familiar names returning to the blue-and-gold in 2018.
Armidale took an inexperienced squad to Coffs Harbour for a trial against the Snappers, and were pleased with the results, while Robb College had a three-way trial against Inverell and the Hastings Valley Vikings at Inverell.
Robb coach Sam Ditchfield is optimistic heading into the season.
“We haven’t had the chance to see all of our new players in a game situation, but we have got good numbers with a couple of good fresher backs among them”, he said.
“It’s early season and will take a while to get into combinations, but we’re pleased with our numbers”.
In the other game at Alcatraz, Barbarians will host Glen Innes in third grade.
