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NOLA Gold have promoted three players from their academy to the senior squad for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Loosehead props Sam Klimkowski and Garrald McDowell are joined by winger Anelisa ‘Ani’ Mteto. The trio suited up for the Gold Academy in the American Rugby Premiership.
Klimkowski was a late-season acquisition from the Giltinis in 2022, having previously been a first round pick by LA in the 2021 Collegiate Draft. The 24-year-old tips the scales at a hefty 280lbs (128kg) but has surprising mobility for a big man. He is yet to make his senior professional debut.
McDowell joined the Gold from the American Raptors, having previously played football at collegiate level and briefly as a professional with the Calgary Stampeders. The Louisiana native is 28 years old and has played both sides of the scrum, but has more recently focused on the No1 shirt.
Originally from South Africa, Mteto recently qualified for the USA on five-year consecutive residency. The 27-year-old earned Collegiate All-American honors with Iowa Central in 2018 before transferring to Lindenwood. He became a free agent after going undrafted in 2021.
