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Anthem Rugby Carolina has named an initial roster of 39 players to prepare for their inaugural Major League Rugby campaign. Funded in part by World Rugby and primarily tasked with developing Eagles-eligible talent, the squad includes 8 players not currently qualified to play for the USA though one – James Rivers – will meet the residency requirements later this year.
There is one fully-capped Eagles international on the squad in former Seawolves loosehead prop Jake Turnbull, though he is joined by a surprise inclusion – David Still. The Eagles 7s star had intended to pursue a professional football contract in the NFL or XFL but Still will now return to MLR having previously suited up for the Austin Gilgronis in 2021.
Among the overseas inclusions are two who featured at Rugby World Cup 2023. Tonga tighthead Joe Apikotoa arrives from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, and Namibian flyhalf or fullback Cliven Loubser signs on from the Utah Warriors.
Only a dozen on the roster have previous MLR caps on their resume. Ex-ATL flyer Te Rangatira Waitokia has been signed after initially agreeing a move to the Toronto Arrows. USA age-grade winger Mateo Gadsden was part of the former Glendale Raptors club but is yet to make his pro debut. Australian lock Reagan Leslie had intended to play for Utah in 2022 but couldn’t get visa clearance in time.
Former All Blacks center and current Eagles assistant Alama Ieremia will act has Head Coach. The remainder of his staff has yet to be revealed. Brandon Sparks – USAR’s Head of Women’s High Performance – had been tasked with recruitment due to his experience as General Manager of the Utah Warriors, but it’s unclear who will fill the GM role with Anthem moving forward.
The team will be their competitive debut at their home field in Charlotte on March 3 against the defending champion New England Free Jacks. A detailed roster list can be seen here.
| POS | NAME | PREVIOUS CLUB |
| LH | Stephen Bernal-Wendt (D) | Utah Warriors / USA Hawks |
| LH | Ivan Pula (D) | New England Free Jacks / USA Hawks |
| LH | Jake Turnbull (D) | Seattle Seawolves |
| HO | Jack Manzo (D) | American Raptors |
| HO | Declan Moore (I) | Ulster (UK) |
| HO | Connor Robinson (D) | Dallas Jackals |
| TH | Joe Apikotoa (I) | Hawke’s Bay (NZ) |
| TH | Mika Felix (D) | Chicago Hounds |
| TH | Dan Hanson (D) | Louisville / Hounds Academy |
| TH | Juan Pen (D) | St. Bonaventure / Hounds Academy |
| LO | Lucas Gramlick (D) | American Raptors |
| LO | Reagan Leslie (I) | Wests Scarborough (AU) |
| LO | James Rivers (I) | Arizona / Legion Academy |
| LO/FL | Shneil Singh (I) | Southland (NZ) |
| LO/N8 | Logan Weidner (D) | Narbonne (FR) |
| FL | Joe Basser (D) | New York Ironworkers |
| FL | Tevita Kutu (D) | Hunter HS |
| FL | Sione Latu (D) | USA Hawks |
| FL | Albert O’Shannessey (D) | Central Washington |
| FL/N8 | Braemar Murray (D) | Toulouse Academy (FR) |
| FL/N8 | Carson Shoemaker (D) | Dallas Jackals |
| N8 | Dylan Fortune (D) | Lindenwood |
| N8 | Michael Ma’afu (D) | Legion Academy |
| SH | Rino Teoni (D) | Legion Academy |
| SH | Sean Yacoubian (D) | Chicago Hounds |
| SH/FH | Chase Suznevich (D) | Charlotte RC / USA Hawks |
| FH | Shane Barry (D) | Seattle Seawolves |
| FH | Oscar Koller (I) | North Harbour (NZ) |
| FH/FB | Sebastián Montes (D) | CRAV (PO) |
| CE | Junior Gafa (D) | Brown |
| CE/WI | Cael Hodgson (D) | NOLA Gold |
| CE/WI | David Still (D) | Eagles Sevens |
| CE/WI | Te Rangatira Waitokia (I) | Rugby ATL |
| WI | Tyren Al-Jiboori (D) | Lindenwood |
| WI | Mateo Gadsden (D) | Tennessee Elite |
| WI | Uluamu Niutupuivaha (D) | Kahuku |
| WI | Caleb Strum (D) | Chicago Hounds |
| WI/FB | Josh Shetler (D) | Tennessee |
| FB/FH | Cliven Loubser (I) | Utah Warriors |
