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Several players with Major League Rugby experience will suit up for the NOLA Gold Academy squad this fall. The team will compete in the South Conference of the American Rugby Premiership against Life University, ATL’s development side Pathway 404, and Houston’s academy team Rugby HTX.
USA internationals Dino Waldren and Moni Tonga’uiha are named, along with Namibia scrumhalf Damian Stevens. American Raptors prop Garrald McDowell, who played college football for Louisiana, is another notable inclusion along with Clermont Auvergne academy flyhalf Alexandre Vaz.
NOLA fans will also get an opportunity to see three of the team’s four selections from the Collegiate Draft in action. Tighthead prop Trent Rogers, scrumhalf Sebastiano Villani, and outside back Christian Olney are all included, along with new acquisition James Vaifale.
The Gold Academy starts their campaign against Life on Saturday at The Gold Mine. Kickoff is set for 1pm local time, 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern. A live stream is available on the NOLA Gold Facebook page.
FORWARDS
James Irey, Sam Klimkowski, Garrald McDowell, Trent Rogers, Dino Waldren, Isaac Weaver, Will Almodovar, Alex Lopeti, George Sharpe, Joe Goldbloom, Malcolm May, Sean McFetridge, William Waguespack, Maciu Koroi, Devin Short, Moni Tonga’uiha, Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, Brendan Weaver
BACKS
Damian Stevens, Sebastiano Villani, Reece Botha, Alexandre Vaz, Ross Depperschmidt, Aaron Matthews, Jack Webster, Kenneth Jinkins, Christian Olney, James Vaifale, Ludwig van der Merwe
