The Millthorpe Mountain Goats will return to the Active Axons Blue Mountains and Greater West Rugby Sevens Carnival later this month with an eye on becoming the first side to secure back-to-back Cup title titles in the ever-growing tournament.
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Orange City junior and Eastern Suburbs star Dan Donato sealed the Mountain Goats' 2018 victory by converting his own try after full-time in last year's decider, with his brother James claiming player-of-the-tournament to boot.
Both will return for this year's edition, which will be the biggest in the tournament's short, four-year history, and incredibly they'll be looking to add more success after helping St Stanislaus College Bathurst to the inaugural Cup title in 2016.
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The Mountain Goats downed Blue Mountains Rugby - also nicknamed the Mountain Goats - in last year's decider and the two could well square-off in the big dance again, with the local side once again nominating too.
While the Millthorpe outfit will take on the Winmalee Wolves and the Precision Crocodiles in Pool A, the BMR Mountain Goats will face the Southern Mud Guts and Briars in Pool B.
The tournament's official draw will be released on Thursday, however Wednesday's announcement of the six men's pools also revealed the Blobfish will be returning to the tournament too, they've claimed the last two Bowl titles and will look to step into the top tier, Cup finals in 2019.
The Blobfish - a composite side largely made up of Orange City Lions and Emus - have been grouped with Central Coast and HAC Colts in Pool D. T
hey go into this year's tournament in form, after being narrowly edged out by the Donato brothers-led Easts in the Building Durability Bathurst Rugby 10s late last month.
"[This year] is definitely shaping to be the biggest we have had," tournament director Chris Nay said.
"The team entries are all quality and the weather is indicating great conditions for fast-paced rugby.
"We now feel we are at a point with the event where the quality on the field is at a great level."
Last year's women's champions, the Seven10s, have not nominated, leaving that prize up for grabs. This year's Active Axons Blue Mountains and Greater West Rugby Sevens Carnival will be played at Blue Mountains Grammar School on Saturday, November 23.
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