MLR 2024: Anthem Carolina vs Miami Sharks

The two bottom teams in the Eastern Conference will dance for a second time this season when Anthem welcomes Miami to Charlotte on Sunday. Of the two expansion sides, it’s the Sharks who hold the only chance to making the postseason but they’ll need a big win just to keep the door wedged open.

CURRENT STANDINGS

0-13-0 (L13) East 6th

4-9-0 (L2) East 5th

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

1 Jake Turnbull replaces Dan Hanson
2 Connor Robinson replaces Jack Manzo
4 Lucas Gramlick replaces Reagan Leslie
5 James Rivers replaces Logan Weidner
7 Alby O’Shannessey replaces Sione Latu
11 David Still replaces Cael Hodgson

3 Reinaldo Piussi replaces Jonas Petrakopoulos (No1 vs NOLA)
8 Manuel Ardao replaces Roelof Smit (No7 vs NOLA)
12 Nick Grigg replaces Tomás Inciarte
15 Felipe Etcheverry replaces Matías Freyre

CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

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

(10) – Koloamatangi (Tonga), Piussi, Ardao, Etcheverry (Uruguay), Bonasso (USA), Cubelli, Orlando (Argentina), Videla (Chile), Grigg (Scotland), du Toit (Canada)

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– Declan Moore (HO), Conor McManus (SH)

– Kirby Myhill (HO), Tomás Inciarte (SH/CE)

NOTES

Anthem have refreshed their pack following the loss to San Diego with five changes including the return of regular captain Jake Turnbull at loosehead prop
the Carolina side field one of their strongest backlines of the season with the return of Eagles Sevens international David Still from suspension on the left wing
Miami welcome back the gargantuan figure of Reinaldo Piussi at tighthead prop, with Tau Koloamatangi switching over to loosehead… it’s a lopsided front row with the latter standing 5’8″ (1.72m) and the former a towering 6’4″ (1.93m)
also back from suspension for the Sharks is outstanding loose forward Manuel Ardao… he slots back in the No8 position with Ben Bonasso moving to the flank and Roelof Smit sitting out
Scottish international Nick Grigg returns in the midfield to partner Pumas World Cup select Matías Orlando… Felipe Etcheverry is recalled at fullback at the expense of Matías Freyre
with no Alex Glover or Kirby Myhill in the match day squad there is no specialist hooker reserve for the Sharks… Alec McDonnell has been nominated as the backup but he is usually a prop and has never played the position in MLR before

PREDICTION

The Sharks put half-century on Anthem when these two sides met earlier this season, but this is a significantly improved Carolina outfit with a much stronger backline. There is some vulnerability in the home side on the bench with no specialist hooker or second row in reserve and only four forwards to call on in the second half. If Anthem can stay in touch to the final quarter this is their best chance for a first-ever victory, but Miami are clear favorites on the road.

LINEUPS

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

Replacements: 16 Jack Manzo, 17 Dan Hanson, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Logan Weidner, 20 Braemar Murray, 21 Oscar Koller, 22 Mateo Gadsden, 23 Tomasi Alosio

MIAMI SHARKS
1 Tau Koloamatangi, 2 Sean McNulty, 3 Reinaldo Piussi, 4 Rick Rose, 5 Stan van den Hoven, 6 Benjamín Bonasso, 7 Dan Pryor, 8 Manuel Ardao, 9 Tomás Cubelli (capt.), 10 Santiago Videla, 11 Avery Oitomen, 12 Nick Grigg, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Marcos Young, 15 Felipe Etcheverry

Replacements: 16 Alec McDonnell, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 Setu Vole, 19 Chase Schor-Haskin, 20 Guiseppe du Toit, 21 Damian Morley, 22 Eric Naposki, 23 Michael Hand

MATCH INFO

Date: Sunday, June 16
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 90°F (32°C), wind SE 6-9mph (10-14km/h)
Broadcasts: Bally Sports Florida, The Rugby Network