Rugby Union: Armidale and Croppa Creek set to host pre-season carnivals this weekend

The Armidale Blues Rugby and Netball Club host their annual Imperial Hotel Knockout Carnival on Saturday, while out at Croppa Creek the Crows will hold their annual gala day, with both drawing teams from around the region and further afield.

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Played as 10s for the men and 7s for the women, the Croppa Creek carnival will also feature teams from Moree, North Star, Robb College and Narrabri and get underway at 12pm.

It will be an earlier start in Armidale with gates at Moran Oval opening at 7.30am and the first game kicking off at 9am.

The host club will be looking to defend their title after claiming the silverware for the first time in a while last year.

In what turned out to be the last game of competitive rugby for around three months as the COVID pandemic saw all rugby-related activities suspended three days later, they defeated eventual New England champions Walcha 12-nil in the final.

Eight teams will compete for the spoils on Saturday with the Blues joined by St Alberts, Barbarians, Walcha, Pirates, St Patrick's (Strathfield), Singleton and Port Macquarie for what should be a great day of rugby action.

"It's probably the most competitive it's been for years," Blues president and carnival coordinator Anthony McMillan said.

As for the Blues, he said things are "looking pretty good". Since they started training a proper, they played a bit of touch before Christmas, they have been regularly getting 50 or so to training.

Defending champions the Barbets, Coffs Harbour, Pirates, the Blues and Albies will meanwhile lace up the boots for the women's 7s competition.

Entry is $5 and spectators will have to adhere to COVID protocols.

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