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Anthem Rugby Carolina

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Anthem Rugby Carolina
FoundedFebruary 5, 2024; 9 months ago (2024-02-05)
LocationCharlotte, North Carolina
Ground(s)American Legion Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 10,500)
Coach(es)Alama Ieremia
Captain(s)Jake Turnbull
League(s)Major League Rugby

Anthem Rugby Carolina, shortened to Anthem RC, are a professional rugby union team in Major League Rugby (MLR), based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The team was founded in 2024, and began to play during the 2024 season. Unlike other MLR teams, Anthem RC is funded by governing bodies, USA Rugby and World Rugby,[1] in the aim to improve the USA Eagles so they may qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and be competitive for the US-hosted 2031 Rugby World Cup.[2]

Players and personnel

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Current squad

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The Anthem Rugby Carolina squad for the 2024 Major League Rugby season is:[3]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Jack Manzo Hooker United States United States
Declan Moore Hooker Australia Australia
Connor Robinson Hooker United States United States
Joe Apikotoa Prop Tonga Tonga
Stephan Bernal-Wendt Prop United States United States
Mika Felix Prop United States United States
Dan Hanson Prop United States United States
Ivan Pula Prop United States United States
Jake Turnbull (c) Prop United States United States
Lucas Gramlick Lock United States United States
Reagan Leslie Lock Australia Australia
James Rivers Lock England England
Shneil Singh Lock New Zealand New Zealand
Logan Weidner Lock United States United States
Joe Basser Back row United States United States
Dylan Fortune Back row United States United States
Tevita Kutu Back row United States United States
Sione Latu Back row United States United States
Michael Ma'afu* Back row Tonga Tonga
Braemar Murray Back row United States United States
Albert O'Shannessey* Back row New Zealand New Zealand
Graeme Pedegana Back row South Africa South Africa
Carson Shoemaker Back row United States United States
Player Position Union
Conor McManus* Scrum-half New Zealand New Zealand
Siaosi Nai Scrum-half Tonga Tonga
Chase Suznevich Scrum-half United States United States
Rino Teoni Scrum-half United States United States
Sean Yacoubian Scrum-half United States United States
Shane Barry Fly-half United States United States
Oscar Koller Fly-half New Zealand New Zealand
Sebastián Montes Fly-half United States United States
Junior Gafa* Centre Samoa Samoa
Cael Hodgson Centre United States United States
David Still Centre United States United States
Te Rangatira Waitokia Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Sebastien Zaridze Centre United States United States
Tyren Al-Jiboori Wing United States United States
Tomasi Alosio Wing Samoa Samoa
Mateo Gadsden Wing United States United States
Dom Iacovino Wing United States United States
Uluamu Niutupuivaha Wing United States United States
Caleb Strum Wing United States United States
Steffan Crimp* Fullback Wales Wales
Cliven Loubser Fullback Namibia Namibia
Josh Shetler Fullback United States United States
  • Senior 15s and senior 7s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
  • * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
  • MLR teams are allowed to field up to ten overseas players per match.

Head Coach

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Technical Staff

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The team's technical staff as of 2024 is as follows:[4]

  • South Africa Neethling Gericke - Assistant Coach, Forwards (2024–present)
  • Samoa Elvis Seveali'i - Assistant Coach, Backs and Skills (2024-present)
  • United States Brendan Keane - Assistant Coach (2024-present)
  • Benin Matoko Noudehou - Physical Performance Coach (2024-present)
  • United States Zach Fournier - Lead Athletic Trainer (2024-present)
  • United States Michael Sheridan - Assistant Athletic Trainer (2024-present)
  • United States Luke Richmond - Analysist (2024-present)
  • Republic of Ireland Darran Coleman - Team Manager (2024-present)

Records

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Season standings

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Season Conference Regular season Postseason
Pos Pld W D L F A /− BP Pts Pld W L F A /− Result
2024 Eastern 6th 16 0 0 16 323 676 -353 7 7 - - - - - - Did not qualify
Totals 16 0 0 16 323 676 -353 7 7 - - - - - - 0 postseason appearances

References

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  1. ^ Pengelly, Martin (January 19, 2024). "World Rugby backs North Carolina team in US MLR with eye on 2031 World Cup". The Guardian. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "MLR, World Rugby, USA Rugby forge historic partnership". Anthem RC. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "Anthem Carolina". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "Anthem RC Technical Staff".
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