METAIRIE, La. — Following a 34-19 victory over Anthem RC last Saturday, the NOLA Gold (2-0) are off to their best start since 2019 after winning their first two games – both at home. It's a good start for a team targeting its first playoff appearance in franchise history.
But according to general manager Ryan Fitzgerald, the real test comes this week on the road against the reigning Major League Rugby champions.
"We couldn't ask for a better start," Fitzgerald told WWL Louisiana on Thursday before heading up to the Northeast to play the New England Free Jacks (1-1) on Saturday. "Our first mission, obviously, was to defend the house for the first two weeks and we did that. Now it's time to go on the road and go up to Boston...on St Patrick's Day weekend."
Fitzgerald expects a hostile holiday crowd, with former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor expected to be in attendance.
"We're up for those kinds of challenges," said Fitzgerald. "That's where you find what you're made of and you have to get tested eventually if you want to lift the shield at the end of the year, and it's a great way to do it early."
"Week 1 Player of the Match" Jordan Jackson-Hope agrees with the Gold GM and says the team is looking forward to raining on the Free Jacks' parade.
"I guess we're just really looking forward to the challenge," the Australian midfielder told WWL. "They're the defending champs, as you mentioned before St. Patty's Day, and they've got all that stuff going on up there.
"So we just want to come in and ruin the party, I guess."
Watch the entire interview with NOLA Gold general manager Ryan Fitzgerald below:
The Free Jacks are coming off a 35-34 loss to Old Glory DC, a team the Gold defeated 18-6 in Week 1.
First-year Gold head coach Cory Brown talked to WWL about keeping the momentum heading into Week 3 after Saturday's win.
"We know it's going to be a lot harder with the Free Jacks," Brown told WWL. "We're going to have to be a lot better and focus on ourselves."
Saturday's match time for Gold at Free Jacks is set for 1 p.m.
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