NOLA Gold's win over Seattle secures 3rd place in the Major League Rugby Eastern Conference standings
Tina Howell • April 28, 2025
After a weather-delayed kickoff, loyal NOLA Gold fans were treated to a rollercoaster of a match that ended with a well-earned 44-36 victory over the Seattle Seawolves at the Shrine. This win moved NOLA Gold into 3rd place in the Major League Rugby Eastern Conference standings.
Coach Danny Lee said of the team's response to the delay, “We just had to control the controllables. Once we told the boys the definitive time for kickoff, we had a plan ready to go. In terms of game plan, we had to be a little bit more direct, and we had to kick and adapt quickly.”
NOLA Gold set the tone early, taking an initial 3-0 lead thanks to a steady penalty kick from Dorian Jones. Though Seattle answered quickly with a try to make it 7-3, the Gold launched into a dominant scoring stretch. Isaac Te Tamaki powered across the try line to ignite the offense, followed by back-to-back tries from the relentless Jonah Mau’u. Jones continued to add points from the tee, stretching the Gold’s lead to 27-7.
Just before halftime, the Seawolves found a breakthrough and scored at the buzzer, narrowing the margin to 27-14. However, NOLA emerged from the locker room with purpose. Xavier Mignot wasted no time reestablishing momentum with a try that pushed the lead to 34-14.
Seattle fought back with intensity, capitalizing on back-to-back tries to bring the score to 34-24. But NOLA responded with composure, as Jones added another penalty to keep the visitors at bay, 37-24.
The closing stages of the match saw both teams exchanging blows. Seattle’s try was met by a decisive moment from Joe Taufete’e, who muscled through defenders for a critical score. Luke Campbell’s conversion extended the lead to 44-29. Though Seattle scored one final try at the buzzer, it wasn’t enough.
With a final score of 44-36, NOLA Gold walked away with a crucial five-point win in front of a roaring home crowd and strengthens their postseason hopes with a firm grip on 3rd place in the East.
Their next match will be on the road against the San Diego Legion on May 4th at 4:00 PM CT. For tickets and more details, please visit
www.nolagoldrugby.com
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Tulane Green Wave Commit Queens U Transfer Carson Schwieger @CarsonSchwieger 6-9/222 Schwieger is a specialized perimeter shooter and spot-up threat. His calling card is elite three-point shooting on high volume, he ranked among the nation’s top volume 3PT makers while hitting at a 40.9% clip (34th nationally). Most of his shots are catch-and-shoot threes (both open and contested); he has taken virtually no mid-range jumpers all season. He is effective as a stretch 4 in pick-and-pop actions (7/20 on the season) and forces defenses to close out hard, creating driving lanes for teammates. Shooting Mechanics: Quick, repeatable release; comfortable on the move or stationary; good on both contested and uncontested attempts. Finishing/Inside Play: Efficient but low-volume around the rim (56–57% on 2PT attempts, mostly at the rim or in limited post-ups). Not a primary creator or driver, low usage, minimal self-creation, and few assists/turnovers indicate a low-maintenance offensive role. Rebounding: Solid but not dominant (3.1 RPG in 24.5 MPG). Uses his frame and length well on the glass, especially on the defensive end, but is not an elite crash-and-grab guy. Positional rebounding is fine for a stretch 4. Intangibles/Motor/IQ: High feel for the game, low turnover rate, smart off-ball cutter, and team-first player. Physical and competitive; no major red flags in effort or attitude from available reports. Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X #RollWave
Tulane Green Wave Commit Versatile Forward Joah Chappelle 6’8” / 200 lbs Dutchtown HS (5A GA State POY) / Pearl River CC / Georgia State (Hampton/Atlanta, GA) Physical Profile: Long, athletic 6’8” forward with excellent length, mobility, and a high-motor frame. Has grown into his body and added strength since high school, giving him the versatility to play multiple positions on both ends. Elite wingspan and quickness allow him to guard 1-through-5 effectively while crashing the glass and protecting the rim. Explosive in transition and finishes with authority around the basket. Scoring Versatility (Primary Strength): Efficient inside scorer with a rapidly expanding perimeter game. At Pearl River CC, he averaged 16.3 PPG on 53.1% shooting with six double-doubles and multiple 20+ point games (season-high 27). Capable of scoring in the post, attacking off the dribble, and knocking down open threes (improved 37.8% from deep at Georgia State). High-level athlete who finishes through contact and excels in the open floor, lefty with soft touch and developing face-up skills. Playmaking & Basketball IQ: Surprisingly skilled passer for a forward, dished out 3.1 APG at the JUCO level with vision that creates for teammates. High IQ player who reads defenses, makes smart decisions in transition, and elevates those around him. Understands how to use his size and length to manipulate help defense. Defense & Rebounding (Elite Trait): High-motor, blue-collar defender who takes pride in shutting down opponents. Extremely versatile, can guard guards, wings, and bigs with his length and lateral quickness. At Georgia State he led the team in blocks (0.9 BPG) and offensive rebounds while posting strong rebounding numbers (5.3 RPG overall). Instinctive shot-blocker and lob threat on the defensive glass. Never takes a play off. Intangibles & Leadership: Relentless competitor with a championship mentality. Named 5A State Player of the Year at Dutchtown and MACCC Freshman of the Year at Pearl River, proven winner who steps up in big moments. High-character kid with a strong work ethic and family-driven background. Coaches rave about his versatility, toughness, and ability to impact winning on both ends. Overall Traits & Projection: Dynamic, multi-positional forward with elite defensive tools, rebounding prowess, and growing offensive versatility. Tulane lands a high-upside transfer who can immediately anchor the frontcourt with his length, motor, and two-way impact. Projects as a difference-maker in the AAC, a modern forward who can guard, rebound, run the floor, and develop into a primary scoring option. His senior year at Dutchtown and dominant JUCO campaign showed massive growth, and he’s only scratching the surface of his potential. Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X #RollWave