MLR 2020 Review – NOLA Gold

This was supposed to be the season that NOLA pushed through into the Major League Rugby playoffs, having missed out by the narrowest of margins in 2019. It’s hard to say how things might have gone with their early season form inconsistent as they suffered two defeats at home.

RESULTS

The season opener in their new home was a roaring success on the field as the NOLA scrum put Old Glory to the sword in a one-sided victory. Backing it up, however, proved a challenge as another expansion side – Rugby ATL – played spoilers in damp conditions and even denied the Gold a losing bonus point.

NOLA rebounded with a controversial road win over Colorado at Infinity Park before returning home. Title-favorites San Diego came from behind to hand the Gold their second loss of the season in Week Four, with the last game a more convincing performance against the Free Jacks.

TOP PERFORMERS

Cam Dolan looked in superb condition and had four tries already thanks to his opening day hat trick. Moni Tonga’uiha took a clear step up with some rampaging efforts on the flank. Two returning youngsters also impressed. Matt Harmon, now focused at loosehead prop, looks a future Eagle with flanker Malcolm May making a successful return from long-term injury though largely in a reserve capacity.

The attack saw a notable shift as Scott Gale switched to his preferred spot of scrumhalf and pushed Holden Yungert to the bench. Con Foley stepped up into the vice-captain role and was the lynch pin in a backs division that featured three notable newcomers.

NEW NAMES

With Gale moving to No9, former Brumbies standout Robbie Coleman saw much of the action at No10. The silky passing skills of the Australian trio allowed NOLA to play wide where Carl Meyer was a force to be reckoned with, splitting his time between outside center and fullback. Argentine strike runner Julián Domínguez was class whenever he touched the ball.

Up front it was largely familiar faces with Eagles tighthead prop Dino Waldren the most prominent arrival. He teamed with Harmon and Canada hooker Eric Howard in a formidable front row trio that should only get better as they get more time together.

MISSING MEN

By far the biggest absence was that of Tristan Blewett, the South African sensation who departed just ahead of the preseason. Meyer and Domínguez helped soften that blow, but injury delayed JP Eloff’s start to the campaign and Nick Feakes was forced to wait for his green card meaning the backline was only just returning to full strength.

Visa delays also scuppered the plans for another South African, hooker Cullen Collopy, to arrive from the Sharks. Openside flanker Kevin O’Connor was hit with suspension after a poorly-executed tackle against ATL while Uruguayan second row Ignacio Dotti was set for a long spell on the sidelines with a broken arm suffered against Colorado.

HOME BASE

NOLA said goodbye to Archbishop Shaw and Marrero as The Shrine on Airline became The Gold Mine in 2020. With no baseball team in residency, the field was repurposed and visually it was neck-and-neck with Houston as the best-looking pitch in the league. The move north of the Mississippi seemed to be helping with attendances up though not quite hitting the heights envisioned just yet.

WISH LIST

Unlike many MLR teams, the Gold have signed up many of their stars on long-term deals that should see virtually every starting player back in 2021. The supporting cast should also see few departures. A priority re-signing will be Dotti, whose contract is up and may be eyeing a move south to the new Súper Liga. If he leaves another lock will be needed.

Expect relatively minor tinkering ahead of 2021 with the two first round picks in the upcoming draft likely to add depth. There remains room for a pair of young specialist halfbacks, with another attacking player in the backs also an option with Blewett’s roster spot never really filled. Lindsey Stevens arrived to bolster the squad at hooker and could continue on if Collopy is no longer an option.

OUTLOOK

This is a young squad with only three regulars at or above 30 years old this season. As such individual development should see the team improve without the need for significant recruitment. That continuity will pay off and the Gold should be expected to contend for an East Conference title for at least the next two seasons.