It's been a number of years since New England has lifted the Richardson Shield but new Zone coach Niel Van Der Linde is determined to make an impression.
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The June long weekend will see the event hosted in Tamworth and the Zone has selected teams to contest the open's and under 19 Colts competitions.
In recent years, players have earned selection for the New England side by simply putting their hand up but this year Van Der Linde approached it differently.
"I have basically watched the games and watched footage and I picked who I think is the best rather than who is going to turn up," he said.
"I rang their club coaches and said 'that guy, that guy, that guy.'
"I think it is a better approach."
Van Der Linde's interest prior to naming the squad also gave him an insight into where their strengths are.
"The strengths, we have sizeable forwards," he said.
"Our forwards will be able to match up physically.
"I suspect we will have a very good kicking game."
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A handful of players have already withdrawn due to injury but Van Der Linde is happy with the squad.
"Everyone has a good representation, all the clubs," he said.
"I am happy with the team, I think we have enough there to give it a real crack there."
New England last lifted the trophy in 2012 and Van Der Lind said "the aim is to go and win."
The open's squad will come together on Sunday in Armidale to train.
Van Der Linde is yet to pick a captain to lead the Lions but the training session will give him an idea, as well as go through his game plan.
New England hasn't entered a team in the Colts competition since 2017 and coach, as well as the Zone's director of coaching Luke Stephen is "really excited."
"We have a great assembly of talent from across the zone in both squads," he said.
"It will be very exciting to see with my 19 coach hat on how some of these guys who have been playing well in first grade go at the Colts competition."
Squads:
Opens: Cody Graham, Jack Humbert, Siosifa Talau, Tom Condon (Barbarians), Harry Mills, Blythe Ririnui, Henry Hickson, Liam Allan, Blake Clout (Tamworth Magpies), Ian Ranger, Jack Martin, Bradman Walker, Tom Morgan, Matt Williams, Fraser Thomas, Jack Grant, Matt Miles, Corey Stace, Jaia Richardson-Fowell (Armidale Blues), Harry Brown, Brent Pedlow (Glen Innes Elks), George Chudleigh, Tom Jackson (Robb College), Blair Patterson, Lachlan Elworthy (St Albert's College)
Colts: Tim Brazier, Max Robertson, Shuaib Rhodes-Swain, Grayson Te Moana (Armidale Blues), Chayton Ekanayake, Oscar Ward, Mark Green, Joe Kennedy, Will Makim (St Albert's College), Colin Fogarty, Tom Croake, Cam Williams, Bailey Rock, Cameron Lane (Tamworth Magpies), Cooper Johnson (Barbarians), Bertus, Walker Harrison (Robb College).
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