MLR 2024 Playoffs: NOLA Gold vs Chicago Hounds – ARN Guide

The second spot in the Eastern Conference Final will go to team located in the Central time zone. NOLA might have fared better over the course of the season, but Chicago have hit a hot streak at just the right time and won’t be intimidated by the conditions waiting at The Gold Mine.

FORM GUIDE

10-6-0, East 2nd, Last 5: 3-2, Streak: Lost 1

8-7-1, East 3rd, Last 5: 3-2, Streak: Won 3

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

1 Jarred Adams replaces Matt Harmon
3 Isaac Salmon replaces Sean Paranihi
4 Malcolm May replaces Fintan Coleman
5 Cam Dolan replaces Callum Botchar
8 OJ Noa replaces Tom Florence
9 Luke Campbell replaces Damian Stevens
15 Dougie Fife replaces Ross Depperschmidt (No13 vs DC)

3 Paddy Ryan replaces Charlie Abel
8 Conall Boomer replaces Luke White (injury)
13 Bryce Campbell replaces Mark O’Keeffe

CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

(8) – Dolan, Tonga’uiha, Harmon (USA), Noa, Iona (Samoa), Filimone (Tonga), Fife (Scotland), Botchar (Canada)

(9) – Fawsitt, Ryan, McCarthy, Carty, Campbell, Augspurger (USA), Flesch, Rumball, Higgins (Canada)

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– Augusto Böhme (HO), William Waguespack (LO), Ed Fidow (WI)

– Zura Zhvania (LH), Luke White (N8)

NOTES

• the three results between the two sides to date have an odd pattern… the visiting team has been the victor each time and by at least two scores
• the Gold will not have Ed Fidow at their disposal, the star winger is still recovering from an ankle injury… William Waguespack is also ruled out while Augusto Böhme will be preoccupied playing for Chile against Scotland
• Cam Dolan is fit to play after missing the test window with a shoulder injury… while OJ Noa returns from suspension to slot in at the back of the scrum… Tom Florence was not eligible for the playoffs
• NOLA have opted for a 6/2 split on the bench with Fintan Coleman an option at either lock or loose forward… there is no specialist scrumhalf in reserve, however, with utility back Julian Roberts starting on the wing
• the Hounds have lost regular eightman Luke White to injury but are boosted by the presence of Nate Augspurger on the wing, who has recovered quickly after damaging a knee playing for the Eagles
• front row duo Guillermo Pujadas and Ignacio Péculo were unavailable to the Hounds as they were suiting up for Uruguay against France

PREDICTION

The wet forecast might not be music to NOLA’s ears. Chicago field a larger pack who excel at the set piece, and Luke Carty is more than comfortable kicking to the corners. Dolan’s presence will be vital at the lineout, while the Gold forwards will need to keep their work rate high. The extra forward in reserve should prove handy in the second half. History and form suggests the visitor should hold the edge, but the stakes are higher this time. This match is too close to call.

LINEUPS

NOLA GOLD
1 Jarred Adams, 2 Pat O’Toole, 3 Isaac Salmon, 4 Malcolm May, 5 Cam Dolan, 6 Moni Tonga’uiha (capt.), 7 Jonah Mau’u, 8 OJ Noa, 9 Luke Campbell, 10 Rodney Iona, 11 Julian Roberts, 12 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 13 JP du Plessis, 14 Taniela Filimone, 15 Dougie Fife

Replacements: 16 Ale Lopeti, 17 Matt Harmon, 18 James Irey, 19 Callum Botchar, 20 Maciu Koroi, 21 Fintan Coleman, 22 Ross Depperschmidt, 23 Reece Botha

CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 Nicolás Revol, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 George Merrick, 5 James Scott, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Conall Boomer, 9 Nick McCarthy, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Billy Meakes (capt.), 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Nate Augspurger, 15 Adriaan Carelse

Replacements: 16 Janus Venter, 17 Fred Apulu, 18 Charlie Abel, 19 Brad Tucker, 20 Lucas Rumball, 21 Jason Higgins, 22 Mark O’Keeffe, 23 Noah Brown

MATCH INFO

Date: Sunday, July 21
Venue: The Gold Mine, Metairie
Kickoff: 18:30 local (16:30 Pacific, 19:30 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: light rain, 77°F (25°C), wind SW 7-10mph (11-16km/h)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network

OFFICIALS

Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Austin Reed (USA)
TMO: Cam Russell (Canada)

HISTORY

HEAD-TO-HEAD (3) – NOLA 2, Chicago 1, STREAK NOLA +1
2024-05-26 – Chicago Hounds 13, NOLA Gold 25 (SeatGeek Stadium)
2024-04-06 – NOLA Gold 21, Chicago Hounds 38 (The Gold Mine)
2023-04-23 – Chicago Hounds 24, NOLA Gold 37 (SeatGeek Stadium)