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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NOLA Gold Rugby returns to the Shrine on Airline this Saturday, June 7, for an end-of-season showdown against the New England Free Jacks. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM CT, with gates opening at 5:00 PM. Saturday’s match is the final home match of the season. Don’t miss your chance to cheer on NOLA Gold one last time in 2025 as they battle for a win and finish strong in front of the home crowd! The Free Jacks bring a well-balanced attack and disciplined defense, but NOLA is determined to defend home turf and feed off the energy of the Gold faithful. Expect an intense matchup for the end of the season. Fans can look forward to live music, food, and an electric game-night atmosphere unique to New Orleans rugby. The match will be broadcast live on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network (Cox Cable Channel 10) and streamed on ESPN+. Follow live updates, exclusive content, and player features across NOLA Gold Rugby’s social media platforms and official website. Tickets for the match and ticket packages are available now at nolagoldrugby.com or by calling 504-507-8429 (504-50-RUGBY). Matchday tickets start at just $25.