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It’s been a busy off-season for the Gold, who look set to make big moves in 2023. Chase Langdon is the team’s new CEO while GM Ryan Fitzgerald has inked a five-year contract extension. The latter has, for the first time, been given the green light to use all available import slots which makes for a very different look to the side from seasons past.
Kane Thompson returns as Head Coach and will have several additions that boast top tier experience. The most notable arrivals are new halfbacks Luke Campbell and Rodney Iona, who will bring new direction to the Gold’s attack under Assistant Coach Carlos Spencer. Loose forward Tom Florence is considered by many to be unlucky not to have picked up a Super Rugby deal in New Zealand.
The Collegiate Draft yielded four prospects, with 2nd-overall pick scrumhalf Sebastiano Villani expected to make an immediate impact after signing a two-year deal. In the Dispersal Draft the club snatched up ex-LA fullback Jordan Trainor, who adds class to the outside backs along with Dougie Fife. Mason Koch was sent to Chicago while Will Chambers was not signed.
Despite the strong incoming class, the departures list is relatively short. Second rows Ignacio Dotti and Taylor Krumrei have returned to Uruguay and Seattle respectively, with flyhalf Robbie Coleman heading home to Australia. Juan Cappiello retired, Nick Feakes moved to New York, and Carl Meyer has more recently been exploring a move to pro football as a kicker.
A number of returnees have signed new contracts with others already tied down. There are still a few re-signings to be announced such as international forwards Eric Howard and Cam Dolan, while veteran prop James ‘Doc’ Irey has reconsidered an earlier decision to step away from the MLR side.
Several developing players picked up valuable game time with the Gold Academy side in the American Rugby Premiership. Dolan and Moni Tonga’uiha were involved in the USA’s World Cup Qualifiers in November while Iona featured for Samoa.
Under Contract: Matt Harmon (LH, 2023), Brian Nault (TH, 2023), Dino Waldren (TH, 2023), Billy Stewart (LO, 2023), Andrew Guerra (FL, 2024), Maciu Koroi (N8, 2023), Damian Stevens (SH, 2023), JP du Plessis (CE, 2024)
Re-signed: Kevin Sullivan (LH, 2023), Alex Lopeti (HO, 2023), Pat O’Toole (HO, 2023), Malcolm May (FL, 2023), Devin Short (FL, 2024), Moni Tonga’uiha (FL, 2025), Ross Depperschmidt (CE, 2024), Aaron Matthews (CE, 2024), Jack Webster (WI, 2024), Harley Wheeler (WI, 2024)
Collegiate Draft: Trent Rogers (TH, Kutztown, 2023), Chase Jones (LO/FL, Saint Mary’s, 2023), Sebastiano Villani (SH, St. Bonaventure, 2024), Christian Olney (WI/FB, Ohio State, 2023)
Dispersal Draft: Jordan Trainor (FB, LA Giltinis, 2024)
New Signings: Jarred Adams (LH, Northland, NZ, 2024), Sean Paranihi (TH, Manawatu, NZ, 2024), Liam Hallam-Eames (LO, Northland, NZ, 2024), Tom Florence (FL/N8, Taranaki, NZ, 2024), Luke Campbell (SH, Manawatu, NZ, 2024), Reece Botha (FH, Lindenwood, 2023), Rodney Iona (FH, Brumbies, AU, 2024), Jordan Jackson-Hope (CE, Eastern Suburbs, AU, 2024), Cael Hodgson (CE/WI, Dallas Jackals, 2023), Dougie Fife (WI/FB, New England Free Jacks, 2024)
Departures: Ignacio Dotti (LO), Taylor Krumrei (LO, Seattle Seawolves), Christian Alvarez (SH), Devereaux Ferris (SH, Dallas Jackals), Robbie Coleman (FH), Juan Cappiello (CE, retired), Joeli Tikoisuva (WI), Nick Feakes (WI/FB, New York Ironworkers), JP Eloff (FB, Chicago Hounds), Carl Meyer (FB), Kyle Rogers (FB, retired)
