METAIRIE, La. — On paper, Major League Rugby newcomer Anthem RC (0-1) should pose little threat to the NOLA Gold (1-0) on Saturday, but first-year head coach Cory Brown says the Charlotte-based team is a definite threat in Week 2.
"There's no question, I thought they played really well," Brown told WWL Louisiana regarding Anthem's debut performance in a 46-13 loss to the New England Free Jacks. "Last week, they played a team that with lots of energy, they're young, enthusiastic, and they've sort of got nothing to lose...and we're gonna have to be on our guard this week."
The Gold opened their season with an 18-6 win over Old Glory DC last weekend. It's a good first step on a 16-game journey to what hopefully leads to the team's first playoff berth in the franchise's seven-year history.
"It was really good to get off with a with a win," said Brown. "We've still got a fair bit of work to do. We made hard work of it in the first 40 minutes, but regrouped...and the bench did a good job to bring it home for us."
South African Reece Botha earned Player of the Match honors for his performance to spark the Gold's second-half surge.
"He did a great job," said Brown. "I thought he came off the bench and really took his opportunity and backed himself, which is the most important thing for me. Just backed themselves and really took it to the opposition."
The Gold to host Anthem RC at the 'Gold Mine on Airline' in Metairie, La.
Match start time is set for 3 p.m.
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