MLR 2024: Anthem Carolina vs Chicago Hounds – ARN Guide

Chicago will look to carry the momentum of last week’s victory over San Diego into Charlotte on Saturday. A bonus point win is the only acceptable result if they hope to improve their seeding heading into the postseason. Anthem is still in search of their first every franchise win and can only play spoilers in their final home game of the campaign.

0-14-0 (L14) East 6th

6-7-1 (W1) East 4th

6 Joe Basser replaces Shneil Singh
11 Tomasi Alosio replaces David Still (suspension)
12 Oscar Koller replaces Sebastien Zaridze

1 Nicolás Revol replaces Charlie Abel
2 Janus Venter replaces Dylan Fawsitt
6 Mike Matarazzo replaces Mason Flesch
7 Maclean Jones replaces Lucas Rumball
13 Mark O’Keeffe replaces Bryce Campbell (HIA)

(4) – Turnbull (USA), Apikotoa (Tonga), Loubser (Namibia), Alosio (Samoa)

(9) – Ryan, White, McCarthy, Carty, Fawsitt (USA), Flesch, Rumball, Higgins (Canada), Kearney (Ireland)

– Declan Moore (HO), Shneil Singh (LO/FL), Conor McManus (SH), David Still (WI)

– Zura Zhvania (LH), Bryce Campbell (CE), Nate Augspurger (WI)

• the only change in Anthem’s pack is at blindside flanker where Joe Basser replaces Shneil Singh… three forwards are classed as imports but James Rivers and Alby O’Shannessey are nearing US qualification on residency
• barring a reduction in his two-game suspension, David Still will sit out the rest of the season after receiving two yellow cards for dangerous tackles in the first half against Miami… his place on Anthem’s wing goes to Samoan international Tomasi Alosio
• Oscar Koller will start at inside center for the first time, with Junior Gafa switching to Anthem’s No13 shirt which is also a first… Sebastien Zaridze settles for a reserve role after three straight starts
• Chicago have handed first club starts to front rowers Nicolás Revol and Janus Venter… Revol, a former Argentina XV select, was a late-season acquisition from Dallas… Charlie Abel makes way for Revol, and covers tighthead prop on the bench for the first time since first choice loosehead Zura Zhvania suffered a season-ending knee injury in late March
• Bryce Campbell is ruled out after taking a head knock in a tackle during the second half of the game against San Diego… Mark O’Keeffe partners Billy Meakes in Chicago’s midfield for just the third time this season, and first time since the Week 6 win over NOLA
• EDIT: a late change sees Mike Matarazzo starting on Chicago’s flank instead of Mason Flesch
• two points is enough for Chicago to formally secure their place in the postseason ahead of Miami, meaning a draw or combination of four-try and losing bonus points

Anthem’s biggest obstacle to victory is the same in Week 16 as it was in the season opener – the inability to stop their opponent from scoring points. Their disorganized defense conceded 59 points in the last meeting between these two sides. The Hounds are on a mission after the sudden sacking of coach Sam Harris and some players are now fighting for spots in the 23 come the playoffs. Chicago are heavy favorites on the road.

ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Jake Turnbull (capt.), 2 Connor Robinson, 3 Joe Apikotoa, 4 Lucas Gramlick, 5 James Rivers, 6 Joe Basser, 7 Alby O’Shannessey, 8 Michael Ma’afu, 9 Sean Yacoubian, 10 Cliven Loubser, 11 Tomasi Alosio, 12 Oscar Koller, 13 Junior Gafa, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Steffan Crimp

Replacements: 16 Jack Manzo, 17 Dan Hanson, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Logan Weidner, 20 Sione Latu, 21 Shane Barry, 22 Sebastien Zaridze, 23 Tyren Al-Jiboori

CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 Nicolás Revol, 2 Janus Venter, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 George Merrick, 5 James Scott, 6 Mike Matarazzo, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Luke White, 9 Nick McCarthy, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Billy Meakes (capt.), 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Noah Brown, 15 Dave Kearney

Replacements: 16 Dylan Fawsitt, 17 Fred Apulu, 18 Charlie Abel, 19 Brad Tucker, 20 Lucas Rumball, 21 Jason Higgins, 22 Adriaan Carelse, 23 Cassh Maluia

Date: Saturday, June 22
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific, 18:00 Central)
Weather Forecast: mainly sunny, 90°F (32°C), wind S 4-6mph (6-10km/h)
Broadcasts: Marquee Sports, The Rugby Network

Referee: Amelia Luciano (USA)
Assistants: Luke Rogan (USA) & Jarrod Ford (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)

HEAD-TO-HEAD (1) – Chicago 1, Carolina 0
2024-04-14 – Chicago Hounds 59, Anthem Carolina 26 (SeatGeek Stadium)