Although the 2018 Orange City Rugby Royal Hotel 10s is still two months away, tournament organiser Fletcher Niven has already highlighted a couple of inevitably exciting sides which are likely to contend for this year’s title.
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Although he confirmed last year’s runners-up Terry Brown Memorial (TBM) haven’t nominated and aren’t expected to this year – the majority of the side is running the Sydney Spartan Race the week after, to help raise funds for the Jimmy Little Foundation – reigning champions Jack Blunt Legends (JBL) will return in an attempt to win their third title in the last four years.
JBL will have plenty of other competition though, Newcastle Wanderers have nominated to return after bowing out in the semi-finals in 2017, while ACT Rugby Union’s Wests have indicated they’ll send at least one side too.
“It’s unfortunate Terry Brown Memorial won’t be back, but they’ve got other commitments,” tournament director Fletcher Niven said, TBM and JBL met in a fairytale grand final match-up last year.
“But it’s good to see we’re getting some other high quality sides coming in. I actually thought Wanderers would go on and win it [in 2017] and they’ll be back, Wests’ top grade is playing a trial that weekend but they may send their second and third grade sides.
“As it stands right now we’ve got 13 spots [all but locked in] and another three or four likely sides. As always, we’d be ecstatic if we can get 16 sides, but if there’s only 12 then it’ll still be three high-quality rounds.
“But I’d think the teams like Jack Blunt Legends, Wests and Wanderers will be tough to beat.”
I’d think the teams like Jack Blunt Legends, Wests and Wanderers will be tough to beat.
- Tournament director Fletcher Niven
Of the other recent champions, 2014 title winners Island Boys will turn out and have reportedly picked up the services of Orange Hawks wrecking ball Sione Tongia.
The Aidan Brice All Stars, who won in 2016, are likely starters too.
Orange City is set to enter two teams as usual, while Bathurst Bulldogs are likely starters as well, although they’re yet to commit to a definitive number of sides.
Ideally, Niven explained, 16 teams will form four pools of four for the preliminary stage. The winner of each pool will progress to the semi-finals and play-off for the Royal Hotel Cup, while the second-placed teams will fight it out for the Orange City Rugby Plate.
Those finishing outside the top eight will play in the Bowl section of the tournament.
He also explained Orange City is catering for four colts or non-competitive sides, and four women’s teams as well, in a new addition to the competition.
Overall, there’s $4,500 worth of prizemoney to play for.
The 2018 Orange City Rugby Royal Hotel 10s will be held on Saturday, March 17, with nominations closing on March 1.
Those interested can contact Niven on 0418 635 893 or fletcher.niven@bigpond.com, formal entry applications will be sent on request.
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
