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The Seawolves arrive in New Orleans for the first time in four years when they take on the Gold on Sunday afternoon. Their last three meetings have taken place in Tukwila, with Seattle coming up short by a single point in early March of last year.
It’s been a much better start to the season this year for the Seawolves, a perfect one in fact. Five straight victories have the 2022 Western Conference champions in first place overall, with a shortage of bonus points perhaps the only cause for complaint. They were well on their way to securing one last week but lightning intervened at halftime in Chicago.
Allen Clarke has made two changes to the lineup this week. Mzamo Majola returns at loosehead prop with Jake Turnbull settling for a spot on the bench. In the backs Dan Kriel slides to outside center with David Busby handed his first start of the campaign at inside center. Tavite Lopeti is named among the reserves.
NOLA have turned their season around in dramatic fashion with three straight wins, the latest a hard-fought victory over DC last weekend. Kane Thompson has made three personnel changes and three positional switches to his starting lineup.
Liam Hallam-Eames returns from injury to run out at lock, with Cam Dolan named on the blindside flank for the first time this season. Malcolm May shifts to openside, with Moni Tonga’uiha joining Maciu Koroi as loose forward reserves on a 6/2 bench. International duo Eric Howard and Dino Waldren are back to take up spots as replacement front rowers.
Damian Stevens swaps jerseys with Luke Campbell, the latter getting a little rest after playing all 80 minutes against Old Glory. Jordan Trainor will sit out entirely this week, with Dougie Fife moving to fullback and Jack Webster called in on the right wing.
The Seawolves can bank on a full 80-minute match this time with hot sunny weather on the forecast. They can also expect a stern challenge from the Gold, whose varied attacking game can cause problems. Seattle are a well-drilled side, however, and will have done their homework during the week. Give the favorites tag to the visitors.
Kickoff is set for 2pm local time, 3pm Eastern, noon Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on Fox 13+ in Seattle and YurView Louisiana, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon, 2 Pat O’Toole, 3 Sean Paranihi, 4 Billy Stewart, 5 Liam Hallam-Eames, 6 Cam Dolan (capt.), 7 Malcolm May, 8 Tom Florence, 9 Damian Stevens, 10 Rodney Iona, 11 Cael Hodgson, 12 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 13 JP du Plessis, 14 Jack Webster, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Eric Howard, 17 Jarred Adams, 18 Dino Waldren, 19 William Waguespack, 20 Moni Tonga’uiha, 21 Maciu Koroi, 22 Luke Campbell, 23 Aaron Matthews
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Mzamo Majola, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Ben Landry, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Charles Elton, 7 Nakai Penny, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Lauina Futi, 12 David Busby, 13 Dan Kriel, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Duncan Matthews
Replacements: 16 James Malcolm, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 Taylor Krumrei, 20 Ben Mitchell, 21 Karl Keane, 22 Jordan Chait, 23 Tavite Lopeti
Date: Sunday, April 2
Venue: The Gold Mine, New Orleans
Kickoff: 14:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 15:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: Fox 13+, The Rugby Network, YurView Louisiana
Referee: Cam Stone (New Zealand)
Assistants: Allen Alongi (USA) & Rob Halcomb (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-03-04 – Seattle Seawolves 24, NOLA Gold 25 (Starfire Stadium)
2021-07-11 – Seattle Seawolves 30, NOLA Gold 6 (Starfire Stadium)
2019-04-21 – Seattle Seawolves 25, NOLA Gold 24 (Starfire Stadium)
2019-02-10 – NOLA Gold 41, Seattle Seawolves 31 (Archbishop Shaw Stadium)
2018-05-27 – Seattle Seawolves 55, NOLA Gold 26 (Starfire Stadium)
2018-05-12 – NOLA Gold 29, Seattle Seawolves 31 (Archbishop Shaw Stadium)
