Match Preview – NOLA Gold vs Capital Selects

The Houston SaberCats already have two games on the books and now it’s time for another Major League Rugby franchise to take its first steps. Saturday will see the New Orleans Gold host the Capital Selects in an exhibition match, one that will have a very different feel to the goings-on in Texas.

For starters the match will be played at Gretna Park, a far cry from the stadium atmosphere of Constellation Field. NOLA will play their regular season games at Archbishop Shaw Field where construction of a small capacity stadium is in progress though not due for completion until 2019. This will also be the first time this team has played together and as such a certain degree of cohesion can be expected to be missing.

Also of note is the somewhat cobbled together appearance of the New Orleans lineup. It’s apparent that more signings are still to come, with several players lining up in unusual positions. Cam Falcon will play tighthead prop rather than his usual hooker spot, with Ben Tarr sliding to loosehead to cover for Hubert Buydens who is away on international duty. Flanker John Sullivan is pressed into second row duty despite the presence of three genuine locks on the bench.

Rather than forming an all-USA Selects halfback combination JP Eloff will start at fullback, with captain Taylor Howden paired with Holden Yungert. It’s an interesting decision and one that suggests Eloff will enter the line frequently as an alternate first receiver. A beefy midfield is supported by a pair of Fijian steppers on the wing.

There are three full internationals in the tight five with Canada’s Eric Howard at hooker and Chilean strongman Nikola Bursic at lock, but the real feature of the side is undoubtedly the loose forward trio. Ohio Aviators star Matt Hughston, South African import Vincent Jobo, and another Chilean – Eagle-in-waiting Sebastián Kalm – could well be the best unit in the competition this season. All are dynamic attackers who will need to be carefully watched by the opposition.

Speaking of whom, the Selects will be very keen on replicating the success of the UBCOB Ravens on the weekend. While they lack big names, in their favor is that many of them have played together before. Alex Diegel leads a competitive pack with Tyler Barberi and Vili Siale notable ball carrying threats.

The backs feature promising youngster Campbell Johnstone in the midfield and the ever-dangerous CJ Burnes on the wing. Vice-captain Nick Kuhl is a Division 2 All-American and an experienced head at fullback and scrumhalf Sean Hartig is small in stature but very tenacious.

Expecting the Selects to triumph might be a step too far given the individual class present in NOLA’s lineup, but it certainly isn’t out of the realms of possibility. Ultimately the result will be academic. Building combinations and functioning as a unit will be most important for the Gold.

Kickoff is slated for 1pm local time and for those unable to make the game there will evidently be a live stream provided by the GiftTime Rugby Network, a very welcome development indeed.

NEW ORLEANS GOLD
1 Ben Tarr, 2 Eric Howard, 3 Cam Falcon, 4 Nikola Bursic, 5 John Sullivan, 6 Vincent Jobo, 7 Matt Hughston, 8 Sebastián Kalm, 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Taylor Howden (capt.), 11 Jojo Tikoisuva, 12 Zack Stryffeler, 13 Moni Tonga’uiha, 14 Peceli Rinakama, 15 JP Eloff

Replacements: 16 Derrek van Klein, 17 Matt Wirken, 18 Joey Sok, 19 William Waguespack, 20 Myles McQuone, 21 Michael Baska, 22 Bobby Johns, 23 Melvin DeSouza

CAPITAL SELECTS
1 Doc Irey, 2 Adam Floyd, 3 Evan Harkum, 4 Tyler Barberi, 5 Matt Holsopple, 6 Vili Siale, 7 Alex Diegel (capt.), 8 Josh Brown, 9 Sean Hartig, 10 Jake Humphrey, 11 CJ Burnes, 12 Campbell Johnstone, 13 Brian Mulloy, 14 Blake Carroll, 15 Nick Kuhl

Replacements: 16 Eric Sweeney, 17 Guy Lopresti, 18 Zack Jessell, 19 Mike Fletcher, 20 Kevin Jackson, 21 Zach Schell, 22 Calvin Storey, 23 Ted Sheedy

Date: Saturday, January 20
Venue: Gretna Park, New Orleans
Kickoff: 13:00 local (11:00 Pacific, 14:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: GiftTime Rugby Network