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; 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

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
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

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Technical Staff

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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)

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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