MLR 2022 Preview – NOLA Gold

NOLA Gold are searching for something that has eluded them in their four seasons of Major League Rugby – a spot in the postseason. In both the 2019 and 2021 season the team were eliminated from a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season. Can they turn the corner in 2022?

Recent changes to the coaching staff could provide a spark, and they will be looking for new names to put pressure on the incumbent starters. It’s a unique roster with only six import players, by far the lowest number in the league, and every single recruit this year is US-eligible.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

 

TEAM HISTORY

YEAR	SEASON	RANK	FINALS
2018	3-5	6 of 7	–
2019	9-7	5 of 9	–
2020	3-2	4 of 12	–
2021	10-5-1	5 of 12	–

One of six founding members remaining in MLR, the Gold started their professional rugby journey at a high school field in Marrero. Few were in attendance to watch them stumble through their rookie campaign. A winning season brought more to the improved venue in 2019 but San Diego spoiled their Semi Final dreams.

In 2020 they moved across town to a new home, and when the pandemic eased last season the fans began to flock to games in record numbers. On the field the euphoria of a sensational upset win over LA was tempered by a poor performance in Seattle that ultimately secured their tag as ‘almosts’ once again.

 

COACHING STAFF

Nate Osborne steered the team since their inception but it’s now Kane Thompson in charge. The former Samoa lock had been a player-coach since the 2019 season. Thompson will have two new assistants in 2022. Former All Blacks star Carlos Spencer has arrived and guides the backs along with Taylor Howden, who captained NOLA in their first season before spending the past two seasons playing for Houston. Ex-Glendale Raptors Head Coach Dave Williams is in charge of the team’s conditioning.

 

FRONT ROW

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Matt Harmon Kavika Peniata John Sullivan Kevin Sullivan	LH Prop	Matt Harmon Alex Lopeti Kavika Peniata Kevin Sullivan
Eric Howard Kevin O’Connor Pat O’Toole	Hooker	Eric Howard George Sharpe Pat O’Toole
James Irey Brian Nault Dino Waldren	TH Prop	James Irey Brian Nault Dino Waldren

There is little change here with just two departures. John Sullivan has moved to Rugby ATL in search of more game time while Kevin O’Connor has opted to retire. Both started their MLR careers in the back row before shifting to the front.

George Sharpe was selected in the Collegiate Draft and has already represented the USA Selects. Eagles prop Paddy Ryan was set to join but the agreement has fallen through at the 11th hour. Instead Alex Lopeti, who played alongside Sharpe with the Selects, will join after playing for Austin in the preseason. Cam Falcon is available as extra cover at tighthead prop or hooker after sitting out all of last season.

 

SECOND ROW

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Kyle Baillie Ignacio Dotti Billy Stewart Kane Thompson William Waguespack	Lock	Ignacio Dotti Taylor Krumrei Billy Stewart William Waguespack

Thompson has hung up the boots for good while club captain Kyle Baillie has moved back to Canada to play for the Arrows. Signed as his replacement is Taylor Krumrei, a former Seawolves regular and USA Selects rep who missed the entire 2021 campaign with injury. Cam Dolan can also cover lock if required.

 

BACK ROW

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Andrew Guerra Giovanni Lapp Malcolm May Devin Short Moni Tonga’uiha Osaiasi Tonga’uiha	Flanker	Andrew Guerra Malcolm May Chase Schor-Haskin Devin Short Moni Tonga’uiha Osaiasi Tonga’uiha
Nikola Bursic Cam Dolan	No8	Cam Dolan Maciu Koroi

Giovanni Lapp, who featured in the win over LA, has moved to the nation’s capital and Chile international Nikola Bursic has left the team. Chase Schor-Haskin was acquired from New York in a trade but will have limited availability due to USA Sevens commitments. Former Junior All-American Maciu Koroi has been signed as a ball-carrying No8 option after being released from ATL.

There is positive news on outstanding openside flanker Andrew Guerra. The 2021 MLR Rookie of the Year broke his leg playing for the USA against New Zealand in October. Early indications suggested he could miss the entire season, but his recovery is ahead of schedule and he may yet make an appearance in the latter stages of the campaign.

 

HALFBACKS

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Cian Barry Damian Stevens Holden Yungert	Scrumhalf	Cian Barry Devereaux Ferris Damian Stevens
Robbie Coleman Timothée Guillimin	Flyhalf	Robbie Coleman JP Eloff

Club stalwart Holden Yungert has moved to New England to join the Free Jacks, with once-capped Eagle Devereaux Ferris acquired from Seattle as a replacement. Ferris competes against returning Namibian international Damian Stevens for the No9 shirt with Cian Barry the third senior option.

Fingers will be crossed that first choice flyhalf Robbie Coleman stays fit after nearly all of last season with injury. Utility back JP Eloff in fact missed every game in 2021 but also returns fit to compete this year, though it may in fact be Carl Meyer who is the backup option at No10.

Draft picks Christian Alvarez and Carmen Consolino are currently on the extended roster. Timothée Guillimin, who filled in at flyhalf last season, has returned to France.

 

MIDFIELD

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Juan Cappiello Ross Depperschmidt JP du Plessis Lockie Kratz	Center	Juan Cappiello Ross Depperschmidt JP du Plessis Aaron Matthews

Lockie Kratz impressed in his first season as a professional but has taken up a spot in the Canada Sevens squad this year. His MLR rights remain with NOLA. Incoming is Aaron Matthews, another youngster who went well with Seattle last year and is tipped for bigger things in 2022.

 

OUTSIDE BACKS

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Hanno Dirksen Julián Domínguez Tim Maupin Joeli Tikoisuva	Wing	Nick Feakes Kenneth Jinkins Jack Webster Harley Wheeler
Carl Meyer Kyle Rogers	Fullback	Carl Meyer Kyle Rogers

The wings will be different this season with all of last year’s options departed. Hanno Dirksen returned to Wales and Julián Domínguez left for Austin. Jojo Tikoisuva has tentatively left the team but could yet return to the fold before too long.

Harley Wheeler was a standout with ATL in 2020 before switching his focus to the USA Sevens team last year. He will start on the one wing with Nick Feakes the most likely option on the other. Feakes joined Coleman and Eloff on the sidelines last year and will be itching to make up for lost time.

Jack Webster did not play in 2021 but spent time training with Clermont in the off-season and is certain to make his MLR debut this year. Kenneth Jinkins is another who has trained with the Gold squad for some time but is yet to see game action.

Injury saw Carl Meyer missing half of last year and Gold fans are hoping to have his massive boot in the lineup all season. Meyer got a run at flyhalf in the preseason and is also a strong option in the midfield. Kyle Rogers has reportedly beefed up in recent months and covers across the backline.

 

2022 OUTLOOK

NOLA are on the rise as an organization and some strong crowds could make The Gold Mine something of a fortress. There is a lot of continuity on the roster and though Osborne’s character will be missed, Thompson is a familiar face with Spencer contributing fresh ideas to the attack.

There are some concerns. Guerra’s presence will be missed for much of the season. Coleman is the preferred flyhalf but even he is not a specialist, and while the recruits all look quality additions they don’t match the pedigree of other Eastern Conference contenders. Taking the next step will likely need a couple recognizable overseas signings down the line.

That said the first goal is well within reach as the extra round of knockouts now allows three teams to qualify. If last year’s standings are any indication it will be a tight race and at the business end of the season anything can happen. Don’t expect NOLA to top the table but they should be in the mix for a playoff spot come June.