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Anthem return home to Charlotte for a match against the Jackals on Sunday afternoon, the only Major League Rugby match of the day. While Carolina were comfortably beaten by NOLA, they showed progress from Week 1 and even outscored their hosts in the second half. Dallas also took some positives from defeat as they claimed a bonus point against San Diego in Arlington.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
0-2-0 (L2) East 6th
1-1-0 (L1) West 5th
| LINEUP CHANGES |
2 Declan Moore replaces Jack Manzo
4 James Rivers replaces Logan Weidner
6 Joe Basser replaces Braemar Murray
11 Ulu Niutupuivaha replaces David Still
13 Te Rangatira Waitokia replaces Cael Hodgson
16 Connor Robinson replaces Declan Moore
19 Braemar Murray replaces Shneil Singh
20 Sione Latu replaces Joe Basser
21 Conor McMcanus replaces Cliven Loubser
22 Josh Shelter replaces Ulu Niutupuivaha
23 Cael Hodgson replaces Te Rangatira Waitokia
5 Daemon Torres replaces Lucas Bur
7 Ben Fry replaces Daemon Torres
10 Martín Elías replaces Vaughen Isaacs
11 Joeli Tikoisuva replaces Manuel Covella
15 Vaughen Isaacs replaces Nazareno Valentini
18 Franco Palillo replaces Kyle Steeves
| CLUB DEBUTS |
(2) – Sione Latu**, Conor McManus
(0) – Ben Fry*, Franco Palillo*
* MLR debut, ** pro debut
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(1) – Turnbull (USA)
(4) – Murray, Richardson (Canada), Zeiss (Argentina), Golla (USA)
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Joe Apikotoa (TH), Shneil Singh (LO/FL), Cliven Loubser (FH/FB), Junior Gafa (CE), David Still (WI)
– Lucas Bur (LO), Pedro Imhoff (SH), Tomás Cubilla (CE), Tomás Malanos (WI)
| NOTES |
- there are first Anthem starts for Declan Moore, Joe Basser, and Te Rangatira Waitokia… it’s the first MLR start for Moore, who spent the past two seasons with URC club ulster
- former New York scrumhalf Conor McManus has signed on with Anthem… the 24-year-old ends a short-lived retirement that was announced on social media after opting out of the dispersal draft
- former Wales u20 flanker Ben Fry is set to make his MLR debut after signing with Dallas from the Dragons… reserve front rower Franco Palillo, who can play both prop and hooker, joined from the American Raptors
- loose forward Daemon Torres fills in for Lucas Bur in the Jackals second row… it’s the first time he has started at lock in his MLR career, though he does have collegiate experience at the position
| PREDICTION |
Anthem have likely already exceeded expectations of some, but they will be looking to build on what was a very positive second half in New Orleans. Dallas have opted to rotate their squad somewhat though the core of their formidable pack remains intact. The Jackals have more confidence this season and gave San Diego a run for their money last week. Dallas are clear favorites.
| LINEUPS |
ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Jake Turnbull (capt.), 2 Declan Moore, 3 Mika Felix, 4 James Rivers, 5 Reagan Leslie, 6 Joe Basser, 7 Albert O’Shannessey, 8 Dylan Fortune, 9 Siaosi Nai, 10 Oscar Koller, 11 Ulu Niutupuivaha, 12 Mateo Gadsden, 13 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Tyren Al-Jiboori, 15 Shane Barry
Replacements: 16 Connor Robinson, 17 Dan Hanson, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Braemar Murray, 20 Sione Latu, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Josh Shetler, 23 Cael Hodgson
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Liam Murray, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 4 Sam Golla (co-capt.), 5 Daemon Torres, 6 Jerónimo Gómez Vara (co-capt.), 7 Ben Fry, 8 Ronan Foley, 9 Juan-Dee Oliver, 10 Martín Elías, 11 Joeli Tikoisuva, 12 Marcell Muller, 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 Nic Benn, 15 Vaughen Isaacs
Replacements: 16 Joaquín Horcada, 17 Tomás Bekerman, 18 Franco Palillo, 19 Makeen Alikhan, 20 Ronnie McElligott, 21 Brock Gallagher, 22 Marques Fuala’au, 23 Jason Tidwell
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Sunday, March 17
Venue: American Legion Stadium, Charlotte
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 14:00 Central)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 68°F (20°C), wind W 6-9mph (9-14km/h)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Moe Chaudhry (Canada)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Alex Hedquist (USA)
TMO: Greg Gilliam (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (0) – FIRST MEETING
