Anthem Rugby Carolina

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]

Anthem Rugby Carolina
FoundedFebruary 5, 2024 (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

Players and personnel

Current squad

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
Declan Moore Hooker Australia
Connor Robinson Hooker United States
Joe Apikotoa Prop Tonga
Stephan Bernal-Wendt Prop United States
Mika Felix Prop United States
Dan Hanson Prop United States
Ivan Pula Prop United States
Jake Turnbull (c) Prop United States
Lucas Gramlick Lock United States
Reagan Leslie Lock Australia
James Rivers Lock England
Shneil Singh Lock New Zealand
Logan Weidner Lock United States
Joe Basser Back row United States
Dylan Fortune Back row United States
Tevita Kutu Back row United States
Sione Latu Back row United States
Michael Ma'afu* Back row Tonga
Braemar Murray Back row United States
Albert O'Shannessey* Back row New Zealand
Graeme Pedegana Back row South Africa
Carson Shoemaker Back row United States
Player Position Union
Conor McManus* Scrum-half New Zealand
Siaosi Nai* Scrum-half Tonga
Chase Suznevich Scrum-half United States
Rino Teoni Scrum-half United States
Sean Yacoubian Scrum-half United States
Shane Barry Fly-half United States
Oscar Koller Fly-half New Zealand
Sebastián Montes Fly-half United States
Junior Gafa* Centre Samoa
Cael Hodgson Centre United States
David Still Centre United States
Te Rangatira Waitokia Centre New Zealand
Sebastien Zaridze Centre United States
Tyren Al-Jiboori Wing United States
Tomasi Alosio Wing Samoa
Mateo Gadsden Wing United States
Dom Iacovino Wing United States
Uluamu Niutupuivaha Wing United States
Caleb Strum Wing United States
Steffan Crimp* Fullback Wales
Cliven Loubser Fullback Namibia
Josh Shetler Fullback 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

Technical Staff

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

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

References

  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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