Orange City Invitational 10s coordinator Fletcher Niven confirmed next month's 16th edition of the annual, prestigious tournament is set to be one of the biggest yet, with both of last year's grand final sides returning along with former perennial contender.
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Newcastle Wanderers will be back to defend their undefeated title win from 2018 although there's whispers they may be weakened due to the club's other trials but the story is quite the opposite for the side they bested 20-19 in last year's epic decider, the Aidan Brice All Stars.
The All Stars, formed in honour of former Orange City player Aidan Brice, are set to turn out the most powerful side they have since winning the tournament back in 2016, headlined by Aidan's younger brothers Nolan and Elliot Brice along with Orange Emus' Levi Russell and Tom Green.
They'll both have plenty of competition in the Island Boys though, a composite side made up of guns from Orange City, Emus, CYMS, Hawks and beyond, who have decided to re-form in 2019 on Niven's insistence.
"[Wanderers have] trial games on the same weekend so I don't know if it will be their strongest team or just some of the boys who want to travel," Niven said.
"[The Island Boys] couldn't form a team the last couple of years but we're excited to have them back."
Six weekends ago I was concerned about how to fit 26 teams into a schedule.
- Fletcher Niven
They'll be three of 12 sides in the senior competition, a division that initially had 26 clubs and teams register interest, while the colts and women's divisions to boast four each.
It comes after a relatively "disappointing" edition in 2018, which resulted in one of the tournament's smaller turn-outs - although the on-field action was still electrifying.
"[A few weekends] ago I was concerned about how to fit 26 teams into a schedule," Niven said, enthusiastically saying how pleased he is to have a full book again.
"But [sides pulling out] happens every year with trial games."
Jack Blunt Legends, the tournament's 2015 and 2017 champions, are also confirmed and locked in for a crack at another title while Orange City will have bumper numbers on hand as they continue their preparation for the Blowes Clothing Cup season.
The Lions will field sides in the senior men's, colts and women's divisions and will go in search of a clean sweep, with the former competition also set to welcome Leeton, Cootamundra, a couple of NSW Suburban Rugby Union lower-division sides and the Forbes Platypi as well, among others.
A final draw will be put together once the March 1 deadline for clubs to pay the entry fee closes and numbers are locked in, but with nearly all sides confirmed Niven's expecting them all to front.
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