It’s another home game for Anthem on Sunday, as they look to bounce back from defeat suffered at the hands of Chicago last weekend. The visiting Seawolves opened their campaign with a win at home over Old Glory. Seattle heads east this week with a more conventional backline selection, while their hosts have named a bit of a wildcard in the midfield.
 |
IN |
OUT |
| 2 |
Campbell Robb |
Seth Smith |
| 6 |
Sam Golla |
Will Sherman |
| 11 |
Malacchi Esdale |
Will Leonard |
 |
IN |
OUT |
| 2 |
Dewald Kotze |
Sean McNulty |
| 12 |
Dorian Jones |
JP Smith |
| 14 |
Michael Hand |
Duncan Matthews |
|
PLAYER |
PREVIOUS CLUB |
| 18 |
Charlie Walsh |
Cal Golden Bears |
| 23 |
Calvin Liulamaga |
Central Washington Wildcats |
- Injured / unavailable – (Anthem) Junior Gafa; (Seawolves) Dewald Donald, Dan Kriel, Lauina Futi
- Sam Golla gets his first start of the season for Anthem… the Eagles lock is on the blindside flank, with Johan Momsen shifting to second row and Will Sherman on the bench
- Malacchi Esdale starts on his favored left wing, but there is a surprise in the midfield as Julian Roberts will play at outside center, having previously as an outside back and occasional flyhalf… new arrival Dom Akina is not named in the match day squad this week
- Seattle also have an unexpected name at center, with Dorian Jones listed at No12… all of his previous rugby in MLR has come at flyhalf… Nolan Tuamoheloa shifts to the left wing, with ex-Chicago and Miami outside back Michael Hand making his Seawolves club debut on the right wing
- there are two likely debutantes on Seattle’s bench… draft pick Charlie Walsh is set for his pro bow as a replacement prop, while Collegiate All-American midfielder Calvin Liulamaga could finally take the field after getting no game time with the Seawolves during the 2025 season
Warm but otherwise mild conditions are expected at kickoff. Anthem will be boosted by Golla’s full return, but their pack are up against bruising opposition. The Seawolves halfback pair is arguably the league’s best, with the selection of Jones in the midfield suggesting a strong emphasis on winning field position, while Dewald Kotze’s return is also a boost to Seatle’s set piece – both in the scrum and lineout. Seattle are favorites on the road in Charlotte.
ANTHEM RC
1 Payton Telea-Ilalio, 2 Campbell Robb, 3 Alex Maughan, 4 Johan Momsen (capt.), 5 James Scott, 6 Sam Golla, 7 Moni Tonga’uiha, 8 Makeen Alikhan, 9 Zion Going, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Malacchi Esdale, 12 Tom Pittman, 13 Julian Roberts, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Jordan Trainor
Replacements: 16 Ramiro Gurovich, 17 Alessandro Heaney, 18 Oliver Kane, 19 Will Sherman, 20 Baden Godfrey, 21 Ishy Safodien, 22 Marques Fuala’au, 23 Erich Storti
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Ignacio Péculo, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 5 Harison Mataele, 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Paddy Ryan, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 André Warner, 10 Davy Coetzer, 11 Nolan Tuamoheloa, 12 Dorian Jones, 13 Mark Bennett, 14 Michael Hand, 15 Divan Rossouw
Replacements: 16 Liki Chan-Tung, 17 LaRome White, 18 Charlie Walsh, 19 Tia’i Vavao, 20 Kalisi Moli, 21 Nick Boyer, 22 JP Smith, 23 Calvin Liulamaga
Date: Sunday, April 12
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte
Kickoff: 16:00 local (13:00 Pacific)
Weather Forecast: partly cloudy, 82°F (28°C), wind S 8-12 mph (13-20 km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+ (USA), Premier Sports (International), WCCB Charlotte (Local), Kong 6 (Local)
Referee: Mike Lawrenson (USA)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Tom Ciampa (USA)
TMO: n/a
HEAD-TO-HEAD (3) – Seawolves 3, Anthem 0
2025-04-23 – Anthem RC 19, Seattle Seawolves 60 (Mecklenburg Sportsplex)
2025-03-29 – Seattle Seawolves 25, Anthem RC 17 (Starfire Stadium)
2024-05-03 – Seattle Seawolves 29, Anthem RC 13 (Starfire Stadium)
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