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NOLA will look to take another step towards a spot in the postseason when they host the Toronto Arrows on Sunday afternoon. The Gold are currently two points behind New York for third in the Eastern Conference and with the Ironworkers on deck next weekend, it’s a must-win game to build momentum.
Perhaps mindful of tougher challenges ahead, Kane Thompson has opted to save some of his senior players for the second half. The backline is unchanged from the win over Chicago but the forwards have been shaken up. Most notably captain Cam Dolan will come off the bench for just the second time in his Major League Rugby career.
Eric Howard will lead from the front as the Canadian international finally gets a chance to start after being a late scratch last weekend. Matt Harmon is back in at loosehead prop, with Jarred Adams switching to tighthead. There are also first starts of the season for William Waguespack at lock and Maciu Koroi at No8, and Devin Short makes a welcome return from injury on the flank.
Toronto are riding a franchise-high six-game losing streak, including the past three at home. Last Sunday’s defeat to the Seawolves was decidedly more palatable than the horror show against New England though the scoreline flattered the Arrows somewhat.
There is just one personnel change to the run-on side this week as Noel Reid returns to wear the No12 shirt, with Fabian Goodall moving to his preferred wing spot. Dawson Fatoric drops to the bench, where Travis Larsen is set to make his first appearance since the win over Chicago in March. Ramón Ayarza is fit to resume as backup loosehead prop.
Sunny skies are on the forecast which will suit NOLA’s attacking game. Though the Gold have also had their ups and downs this season, they are the more confident side and have more to play for at this stage. Toronto will do their best to play spoilers but the home side should be considered firm favorites.
Kickoff is set for 2pm local time, 3pm Eastern, noon Pacific. Those in Canada can watch on TSN’s digital services, with a local broadcast available on YurView Louisiana. Viewers elsewhere can watch on The Rugby Network.
NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon, 2 Eric Howard (capt.), 3 Jarred Adams, 4 William Waguespack, 5 Liam Hallam-Eames, 6 Moni Tonga’uiha, 7 Devin Short, 8 Maciu Koroi, 9 Luke Campbell, 10 Rodney Iona, 11 Aaron Matthews, 12 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 13 JP du Plessis, 14 Ross Depperschmidt, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Pat O’Toole, 17 Kevin Sullivan, 18 Dino Waldren, 19 Billy Stewart, 20 Cam Dolan, 21 Malcolm May, 22 Damian Stevens, 23 Harley Wheeler
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Lolani Faleiva, 2 Gene Syminton, 3 Isaac Salmon, 4 Adrian Wadden, 5 Shay Kerry, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 8 Mitch Eadie, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Shane O’Leary, 11 Fabian Goodall, 12 Noel Reid, 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 D’Shawn Bowen, 15 Kobe Faust
Replacements: 16 Tyler Wong, 17 Ramón Ayarza, 18 Tyler Rowland, 19 Mike Sheppard, 20 Travis Larsen, 21 James O’Neill, 22 Will Grant, 23 Dawson Fatoric
Date: Sunday, April 30
Venue: The Gold Mine, New Orleans
Kickoff: 14:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 15:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Network, TSN Digital, YurView Louisiana
Referee: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
Assistants: Allen Alongi (USA) & Rob Halcomb (USA)
TMO: Scott Green (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-16 – Toronto Arrows 53, NOLA Gold 36 (York Lions Stadium)
2022-02-19 – NOLA Gold 23, Toronto Arrows 24 (The Gold Mine)
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)
