Anthem Rugby Carolina

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Anthem Rugby Carolina
FoundedFebruary 5, 2024; 2 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

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 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
Juan Pen
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
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
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 coaches

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.

External links