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Anthem returns to their home base in Charlotte after a brief detour in High Point to host the top team in Major League Rugby on Friday night. Houston are riding a three-game win streak against the expansion side still in search of their first franchise victory.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
0-9-0 (L9) East 6th
8-1-0 (W3) West 1st
| LINEUP CHANGES |
1 Dan Hanson rotates with 17 Jake Turnbull
5 Lucas Gramlick replaces Reagan Leslie
6 Graeme Pedegana rotates with 19 Shneil Singh
7 Alby O’Shannessey replaces Joe Basser
8 Michael Ma’afu replaces Dylan Fortune (injury)
9 Siaosi Nai replaces Conor McManus
11 Josh Shetler replaces Cliven Loubser (No10 vs Seattle)
14 Tyren Al-Jiboori replaces Cael Hodgson
20 Logan Weidner replaces Lucas Gramlick
22 Mateo Gadsden replaces Shane Barry
23 Ulu Niutupuivaha replaces Tyren Al-Jiboori
2 Tiaan Erasmus replaces Seth Smith
4 Johan Momsen replaces Justin Basson
8 Gideon van Wyk replaces Keni Nasoqeqe (No6 vs Utah)
9 Jay Renton replaces Andre Warner
11 Jeremy Misailegalu replaces Line Latu
12 Dom Akina replaces Sam Hill
13 Louritz van der Schyff replaces Tautalatasi Tasi
14 Seimou Smith replaces Christian Dyer (injury)
16 Seth Smith replaces Brian Flamenco
17 LaRome White replaces Frikkie de Beer
20 Keni Nasoqeqe replaces Johan Momsen
23 Drake Davis replaces Dom Akina
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(2) – Alosio (Samoa), Turnbull (USA)
(2) – Lindenmuth, Alatimu (Samoa)
| CLUB DEBUTS |
(3) – Jay Renton*, Seimou Smith, Drake Davis*
* – MLR debut
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Declan Moore (HO), Reagan Leslie (LO), Conor McManus (SH), Oscar Koller (FH), Cliven Loubser (FH/FB), Shane Barry (FH/FB), David Still (WI)
– Pita Anae-Ah Sue (HO), Maks van Dyk (TH), Davy Coetzer (FH), Christian Dyer (WI)
| NOTES |
- Dan Hanson gets his first pro start in place of regular Anthem skipper and loosehead prop Jake Turnbull, who is named on the bench… Samoan international Tomasi Alosio assumes the captaincy in just his third game with Carolina after arriving from New Zealand
- new USA u20 select Graeme Pedegana makes his first pro start on the flank having replaced the injured Dylan Fortune early in last week’s match against the Seawolves
- it’s a first start for Tomolati ‘Michael’ Ma’afu at No8, whose older brother Nafi Ma’afu was named in the senior Eagles extended squad last week
- Te Rangatira Waitokia starts in the unusual position of flyhalf… he has played outside center, wing, and fullback in MLR before but has never worn the No10 shirt
- Tiaan Erasmus returns from a one-week suspension to start at hooker for Houston… relegating Seth Smith to the bench despite his starring performance last week
- regular SaberCats captain Johan Momsen starts at lock but it’s Nathan Den Hoedt who will continue to lead the side on the pitch this week
- Jay Renton, Seimou Smith, and Drake Davis will make their Houston debuts… Renton is a former New Zealand u20 scrumhalf who plays his domestic rugby for Southland Stags… Smith was previously on the books for New York and returns to MLR after a stint with the American Raptors… while former collegiate footballer Davis make his professional rugby debut
| PREDICTION |
Both sides have made several changes with some starters rested and others handed opportunities to claim spots heading towards the business end of the season. Anthem are yet to taste victory and absent a specialist flyhalf might struggle tactically. Despite their rotation the SaberCats field a strong lineup that shows off their depth. Houston are heavy favorites on the road.
| LINEUPS |
ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Dan Hanson, 2 Connor Robinson, 3 Joe Apikotoa, 4 James Rivers, 5 Lucas Gramlick, 6 Graeme Pedegana, 7 Alby O’Shannessey, 8 Michael Ma’afu, 9 Siaosi Nai, 10 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 11 Josh Shetler, 12 Junior Gafa, 13 Dom Iacovino, 14 Tyren Al-Jiboori, 15 Tomasi Alosio (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Jack Manzo, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Shneil Singh, 20 Logan Weidner, 21 Sean Yacoubian, 22 Mateo Gadsden, 23 Ulu Niutupuivaha
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2 Tiaan Erasmus, 3 Rob Cobb, 4 Johan Momsen, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt (capt.), 6 Emmanuel Albert, 7 Ronan Murphy, 8 Gideon van Wyk, 9 Jay Renton, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Jeremy Misailegalu, 12 Dom Akina, 13 Louritz van der Schyff, 14 Seimou Smith, 15 Drew Wild
Replacements: 16 Seth Smith, 17 LaRome White, 18 Pono Davis, 19 Tomi Agbongbon, 20 Keni Nasoqeqe, 21 Carlo de Nysschen, 22 Max Schumacher, 23 Drake Davis
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Friday, May 10
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific, 18:00 Central)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 73°F (23°C), wind NW 10-14mph (16-22km/h)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Amelia Luciano (USA)
Assistants: Cam Russell (Canada) & Eanna O’Dowd (Ireland)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (0) – first match
