NOLA grabs MLR Team of the Week honors, three players make ‘First XV’

After cruising past Houston 49-11 on Saturday, NOLA earned the Major League Rugby’s Team of the Week honors for their dominant play.

The Gold scored 42 straight points behind five different try scorers in the road win. NOLA’s 49 points scored against Houston is the highest total among MLR teams this season.

NOLA (5-1), sits atop the MLR standings with 26 points, including the most points scored (211), tries scored (29) and the highest point differential (+61).

Outside center Tristan Blewett, openside flanker Zack Stryffeler, and fullback JP Eloff also represented the Gold in the MLR’s First 15.

Blewett, who is tied for the league lead in tries (six), continued his exceptional play this season, recording a hat-trick and setting an MLR record in the process.

The highlight of his performance was in the 37th minute when Blewett picked off a Sabercats pass, returning it all the way for a score. He finished the game with nine carries for 237 meters, setting the MLR’s single-game record for most meters carried.

Stryffeler put up another dominant defensive performance, leading the Gold  with 21 tackles and adding eight carries for 70 meters. Eloff scored 19 points in the win, carrying the ball six times for 85 meters, while scoring a try in the 79th minute.

The Gold are back at home this Saturday, March 23 against Austin Elite. Kick off is set for 2:00 p.m. at Gold Stadium.

For tickets to the game against Austin click here.