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Two sides looking for their first win of the season collide in New Orleans on Saturday afternoon. Both the Gold and their guests, the Toronto Arrows, had designs on playoff rugby heading into the season and while it’s only Week 3, a loss here could put a sizeable dent in those plans.
It may come as a surprise to Toronto fans, but the Arrows have yet to beat the Gold in four times of asking. A poor second half saw NOLA fighting back to win at The Gold Mine in early May of last year, with the visitors again taking the spoils in Toronto’s makeshift home of Atlanta in mid-June.
While there remains a long list of injuries in the Arrows lineup there are three key returnees this week including one who will be very familiar to NOLA players and fans alike. Kyle Baillie lines up on the blindside flank for Toronto having spent the past three seasons with the Gold, two as captain.
The other chance in the forwards sees Tomás de la Vega starting at No8 in place of Ronan Foley, who joins flanker James O’Neill on the sidelines this week. It’s a conventional 5-3 split on the bench as a result with Mason Flesch the only loose forward reserve.
Sam Malcolm’s first appearance of the season is the most significant for the Arrows. His presence will boost confidence in an under-performing backline, not least due to his metronomic goal-kicking. New signing Brock Webster gives the team an immediate injection of pace on the wing with Mitch Richardson lining up in his more accustomed midfield spot.
Despite their disappointing result against ATL last weekend, the Gold are keeping the faith in their lineup that shows only two changes. Billy Stewart returns from injury to lineup in the second row alongside Malcolm May in the only alteration to the starting pack. Eagles flanker Moni Tonga’uiha returns to the side after a week away but settles for a spot on the bench.
In the backs Kyle Rogers is handed a rare start on the wing in place of Nick Feakes. Rogers has embraced the utility tag this season having typically been used as a flyhalf or fullback in the past.
Dry and sunny conditions are on the forecast which will be welcome news for both teams. For each it’s a sputtering offense that has been most problematic, with the Arrows failing to score a single second half point through two games this season.
Toronto celebrates Malcolm’s return and features a more experienced back row, but they are back on the road against a Gold team desperate for a win and face a disruptive Cam Dolan at the lineout. Expect a close contest with the slight advantage to NOLA at home.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 1pm Pacific, 4pm Eastern. A local broadcast will be available on YurView in New Orleans with TSN streaming to Canadian viewers on their digital channels. Those located across the USA or abroad can watch on The Rugby Network.
NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon, 2 Eric Howard, 3 Dino Waldren, 4 Malcolm May, 5 Billy Stewart, 6 Maciu Koroi, 7 Devin Short, 8 Cam Dolan (capt.), 9 Damian Stevens, 10 Robbie Coleman, 11 Kyle Rogers, 12 JP du Plessis, 13 Juan Cappiello, 14 Harley Wheeler, 15 Carl Meyer
Replacements: 16 Pat O’Toole, 17 Kevin Sullivan, 18 Brian Nault, 19 William Waguespack, 20 Moni Tonga’uiha, 21 Devereaux Ferris, 22 JP Eloff, 23 Nick Feakes
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Cole Keith, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Isaac Salmon, 4 Mike Sheppard (capt.), 5 Paul Ciulini, 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Tomás de la Vega, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Sam Malcolm, 11 Brock Webster, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 Matthew Hood, 15 Gastón Mieres
Replacements: 16 Jack McRogers, 17 Lolani Faleiva, 18 Tyler Rowland, 19 Adrian Wadden, 20 Mason Flesch, 21 Chris Bell, 22 Will Kelly, 23 Ueta Tufuga
Date: Saturday, February 19
Venue: The Gold Mine, New Orleans
Kickoff: 15:00 local (13:00 Pacific, 16:00 Eastern)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Allen Alongi (USA) & De Wet Roos (USA)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Network, TSN, YurView
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-06-19 – Toronto Arrows 12, NOLA Gold 18 (Lupo Family Field)
2021-05-02 – NOLA Gold 22, Toronto Arrows 14 (The Gold Mine)
2019-04-07 – Toronto Arrows 31, NOLA Gold 35 (York Alumni Field)
2019-01-26 – NOLA Gold 36, Toronto Arrows 31 (Archbishop Shaw Stadium)
