Second-Half Surge Not Enough for Anthem RC

Siaosi Nai led the efforts with one try and two try assists

NEW ORLEANS (March 9, 2024) – Anthem Rugby Carolina fell in its first road match of the season against NOLA Gold, 34-19, on Saturday afternoon at The Gold Mine in New Orleans. 

“We struggled at the start to get in the right mentality because of defensive errors, but I was very proud of how we fought back in the second half,” Head Coach Alama Ieremia said.

Anthem RC got on the board in the 50th minute with a try scored by Shane Barry. Oscar Koller passed the ball to Siaosi Nai who found Barry racing to the try zone. Koller scored the conversion kick. 

Out of a scrum, Nai picked up the ball and carried it himself down the sideline for another try in the 62nd minute. Koller followed up with another successful conversion kick.

“The second half point spread was tough, but we will work on that for the next game,” Nai explained. “I’m super proud of the team for everything.

The visitors continued to pressure offensively and added to the points total in the 66th minute. Nai recorded another try assist with a pass to Tyren Al-Jiboori for the score.

“We need to have a solid platform to compete or at least use our skills,” Ieremia commented. “We are a young team learning, and if we want to compete, we need to learn very quickly because there are valuable lessons that are happening with all the quality opposition we are playing.”

UP NEXT: Anthem RC returns home to American Legion Memorial Stadium on Sunday, March 17 at 3:00 p.m. to face the Dallas Jackals. Ticket information can be found at anthemrc.com/tickets. 

ABOUT ANTHEM RUGBY CAROLINA

Anthem Rugby Carolina (RC) joined Major League Rugby ahead of the 2024 season. The team is the product of a comprehensive partnership between Major League Rugby, World Rugby and USA Rugby. Anthem RC embraces the concept of rising stars throughout its brand, symbolic of the efforts of the new club to invest and grow American rugby. American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, serves as the home of Anthem RC.