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Some might call it a dead rubber given both teams have already been eliminated from the postseason, but for the Dallas Jackals it will be anything but when they host the NOLA Gold on Saturday. The home side have two victories this season and are hoping to give their fans a third.
Sunday’s trip to New York was not overly enjoyable for the Jackals. After scoring first, they struggled defensively and came up well short at the final whistle. Agustín Cavalieri will be expecting a more concerted effort from his charges against a less imposing opponent.
Tomás Baravalle returns at hooker after a five-game absence, replacing Dewald Kotze in the only change to the starting pack. Among the reserves it’s Canadian prop Kyle Steeves and Fijian lock Maikeli Naromaitoga who get the call with Herman Agenbag and Carson Shoemaker dropping out.
The backline is identical with the exception of No9 where Danny Christensen is handed his first start of the season. There is no specialist scrumhalf in reserve with versatile back Jason Tidwell in line to make his second pro appearance.
NOLA will be bitterly disappointed with how their season has gone, and even more so with their substandard performance in last week’s must-win game against DC. With no more home games this year the only thing left to play for is pride and for some perhaps contracts for next season.
Matt Harmon tags in for Jarred Adams at loosehead prop with James ‘Doc’ Irey given his second career start at tighthead. Tom Florence is out with injury so Maciu Koroi steps in at No8, with Osaiasi Tonga’uiha joining the reserve list.
Damian Stevens takes over at No9 with Luke Campbell ruled out, and Reece Botha continues at flyhalf after being a late addition to the lineup against Old Glory. Dougie Fife and Aaron Matthews come into the backline at left wing and inside center respectively, with Cael Hodgson and JP du Plessis out this week.
Searing hot temperatures are expected at kickoff suggesting replacements will see early action but with neither team at full strength there is little to choose between the sets of extras. NOLA have lost four straight coming in and are short on motivation. Dallas look the stronger side up front and should have enough purpose to get the victory at home.
Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 6pm Eastern, 3pm Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on KTXA in Dallas and YurView Louisiana, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Liam Murray, 2 Tomás Baravalle, 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 4 Sam Golla, 5 Lucas Bur, 6 Jerónimo Gómez Vara (capt.), 7 Conrado Roura, 8 Adriaan Booysen, 9 Danny Christensen, 10 Alejandro Torres, 11 Lui Sitama, 12 Tomás Cubilla, 13 Tomás Malanos, 14 Campbell Johnstone, 15 Marcos Moroni
Replacements: 16 Alex Tucci, 17 Connor Robinson, 18 Kyle Steeves, 19 Maikeli Naromaitoga, 20 Cameron Nelson, 21 James Vaifale, 22 Juan Pablo Aguirre, 23 Jason Tidwell
NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon, 2 Eric Howard, 3 James Irey, 4 Cam Dolan (capt.), 5 Liam Hallam-Eames, 6 Malcolm May, 7 Moni Tonga’uiha, 8 Maciu Koroi, 9 Damian Stevens, 10 Reece Botha, 11 Dougie Fife, 12 Aaron Matthews, 13 Ross Depperschmidt, 14 Harley Wheeler, 15 Jordan Trainor
Replacements: 16 Alex Lopeti, 17 Jarred Adams, 18 Dino Waldren, 19 William Waguespack, 20 Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, 21 Sebastiano Villani, 22 Jack Webster, 23 Kenneth Jinkins
Date: Saturday, June 10
Venue: Choctaw Stadium, Arlington
Kickoff: 17:00 local (15:00 Pacific, 18:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: KTXA, The Rugby Network, YurView Louisiana
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Andrew Low (USA) & Jono Cooper (USA)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-03-12 – Dallas Jackals 26, NOLA Gold 32 (Choctaw Stadium)
