NOLA Rugby: Bye-rested Gold off to best start in years. Can hot hand continue with Chicago next?
Once-beaten NOLA is undefeated at home with Eastern Conference rival Chicago visiting the 'Gold Mine on Airline' this Saturday. The NOLA Gold, a rugby team from Louisiana, has started the season with a 3-1 record, their highest start since 2019. The team's lone defeat was a 27-21 loss to the defending Major League Rugby champions in New England in Week 3. Despite having a bye week following the game, head coach Cory Brown believes the team is focused and ready to face Eastern Conference rival Chicago. The Gold is currently tied for first place with New England (3-1) in the East and is looking to continue their strong performance against Chicago.
Published : a month ago by Aaron S. Lee / WWL Louisiana in Sports
Once-beaten NOLA is undefeated at home with Eastern Conference rival Chicago visiting the 'Gold Mine on Airline' this Saturday.
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METAIRIE, La. — The NOLA Gold (3-1) are off to their best start since 2019 with their lone defeat coming in a 27-21 loss to the defending Major League Rugby champions in New England in Week 3.
It's a major step forward for a franchise that has yet to make the playoffs in the league's seven-year history.
With the Gold coming off a bye week, first-year NOLA head coach Cory Brown says the team is focused, refreshed and ready to get the season back underway.
"The bye week came at a good time for us," Brown told WWL Louisiana after practice on Thursday. "We had quite a few injuries after the Dallas game, so hopefully the boys are refreshed and ready to go against the good Chicago side."
"I think the key thing we learned from it," said Brown. "It was a game that we probably could have won and maybe should have won, but just the learning of getting our mindset right and our attitude right is massive for this side."
NOLA is currently tied for first place with New England (3-1) in the East with conference rival Chicago rolling into Week 6. According to Brown, the Gold possesses game-winning confidence each time they take the pitch.
"100 percent," said Brown. "We've got some good leaders and players from lots of different countries. They’ve combined really well. Just got the second part of the season to go. So, hopefully, we put in a good performance against Chicago on the weekend.”
“We actually treat it like it's our home," explained the native Samoan, who lives in Australia during the offseason. "You don't want anyone to come into your house and, you know, take what you have. So, we're not taking any loss at home.”
Topics: Rugby