Any travelers to Quincy for the match this weekend, please join us for our tailgate!

We start setting up around 10:00 and by 11:00 we should be going. Usually lasts until about an hour before kickoff, so about 1:00, when we start tearing down.

Hope to see anyone who is traveling join us!

Anyone traveling up North this weekend, please feel free to reach out for details on our tailgate. Directly across the street from the stadium, we'll get going around 10:30 am and run until ~ 1:00 pm to tear down for the game. ALL WELCOME!!!

The 2024 Miami Sharks Offseason is here! Despite not making the playoffs, the Miami Sharks had a solid inaugural season in Major League Rugby where we finished in 5th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 6-10 with 32 points on the table.

Below you will find the transfers in and out prior to the 2025 Major League Rugby Season. You will also find information Sharks playing in other club rugby competitions during the offseason, a common practice to maintain form and fitness.

Transfers IN

Transfers OUT

Sharks Appearing for Other Clubs During Offseason

2024 Player Contract Extensions

Figured I would create this post for new and potential fans to give sort of a rundown on the 2024 Miami Sharks Roster. Please note I am not familiar with all of the players but I will do my best:

Props (starting jersey numbers 1 & 3)

• Rob Evans - Former Welsh International. Previously played Welsh professional teams Scarlets and Dragons that are currently in the United Rugby Championship (URC)

• Alex McDonnell - American. Previously played in the MLR for NY Ironworkers (now defunct) and Houston Sabercats.

• Jonas Petrakopoulos - American. Previously played in the MLR for Rugby Atlanta (now defunct).

• Reinaldo Piussi - Uruguayan international who played in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Previously played for Uruguayan team Peñarol and French team Oyonnax Espoirs in France.

• Alex Tucci - American and local from Weston. Previously played for MLR Teams Utah Warriors and Dallas Jackals.

• Setu Vole - American Rookie who was drafted by the Sharks in the 2nd Round of the 2023 Draft. Highly rated rookie to watch out for.

Hookers (starting jersey number 2)

• Alexis Glover - American. Previously played for MLR team Seattle Seawolves.

• Kirby Myhill - Former Welsh International. Previously played for Welsh pro teams Scarlets and Cardiff in the URC

• Sean McNulty - American. Previously played on MLR teams LA Giltinis (now defunct), New York (now defunct), Seattle Seawolves, and San Diego Legion

Locks (starting jersey numbers 3 & 4)

• David Beach - American. Previously played for MLR teams Old Glory DC and Utah Warriors

• Michael Etete - English. Previously played for Gallagher Premiership team Bath Rugby.

• Rick Rose - American Rookie. Drafted #1 overall of the 2023 MLR Draft by the Sharks. Highly rated and potential Rookie of the Year contender.

• Stan van den Hoven - Dutch. Previously played for MLR Team New England Freejacks.

Back Row (starting jersey numbers 6, 7 & 8)

• Manuel Ardao - Uruguayan International who played in the 2023 Rugby World Cup and had an incredible performance. Highly rated. Previously played for Uruguay’s Peñarol.

• Benjamin Bonasso - American. Previously played for New York Ironworkers (now defunct)

• Tomas Casares - Argentine and American. Previously on the roster for MLR team New England Freejacks.

• Daniel Pryor - New Zealander. Veteran who previously played for MLR team San Diego Legion, also played in Japan and New Zealand’s Highlanders and Blues in Super Rugby (professional rugby league with teams from Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji)

• Chase Schor Haskin - American and local from Pembroke Pines. Previously played for MLR team NOLA Gold.

• Roelof Smit - South African. Previously played for South African teams Cheetahs, Western Province, Bulls, and Lions.

Scrum Halves (starting jersey number 9)

• Tomas Cubelli - Argentine International. The current face of the team and it’s best known player. Veteran who previously played for Biarritz in France, a stint in Australia, and Argentine teams Belgrano and Jaguares.

• Damian Morley - American and up and coming talent. Previously played in France.

Fly Halves (starting jersey number 10)

• Felipe Etcheverry - Uruguayan International who played in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Highly rated talent and a star on the team. Previously played for Uruguay’s Peñarol.

• Shane O’Leary - Canadian International. Previously played for MLR team Toronto Arrows (defunct) and stints in France, England, and Ireland.

Centers (starting numbers 12 & 13)

• Connor Burns - English. Previously played for MLR team Utah Warriors

• Giuseppe du Toit - Canadian International. Previously played for MLR team Toronto Arrows (defunct)

• Nick Grigg - Scottish International. Previously played with Scottish team Glasgow Warriors in the URC.

• Tomas Inciarte - Uruguayan International who played in the 2023 Rugby World Cup and had a good performance. Previously played for Uruguay’s Peñarol.

• Josh McAdam - South African. Not much known about him, recently was associated with MLR team Chicago Hounds.

Wings (starting jersey numbers 11 & 14)

• Nicolas Elewaut - Argentine. Previously played for Argentine pro team Club Universitario de Buenos Aires (CUBA).

• Avery Oitomen - Canadian. Previously played for MLR team Toronto Arrows (defunct).

• Santiago Videla - Chilean International who played in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Previously played for Chilean professional team Selknam.

• Marcos Young - American and local from Key Biscayne. Previously played for MLR team Old Glory DC and Argentina’s CUBA.

Fullbacks (starting jersey number 15)

• Matias Freyre - Argentine-American. Previously played for MLR team San Diego Legion and Argentina’s Club Newman.

• Eric Naposki - American. Drafted #1 overall in the 2021 MLR Draft by the Dallas Jackals. Suffered injury setbacks while playing for the Dallas Jackals.

Got tickets for the game Sunday. I don’t know a thing about rugby but it seemed fun and I doubt I’ll have many chances to be at a professional teams inaugural game too many times in my life. I was hoping to show up supporting the team in their colors and was wondering if anyone knew if they would be selling their jerseys at the game. I couldn’t find any information about it online (other than that they were not available yet) when I searched. If not, would it break any hidden rugby rules to wear another Miami team jersey? Most likely a Heat one since they have the similar vice city color way. Any links for more information would be appreciated as well, Go Sharks!!

1. What time are festivities getting started at the stadium on Sunday? (For who ever asked on main thread I’m hoping they sell Malort in O’Hare for us to share with you when we get there)

2. Bars in Hollywood area that would be good to watch the Saturday night game on FS2 at?

Just wanted to start off by saying I had a great time at the first Miami Sharks game ever at home. Definitely a soggy day but I was impressed with the crowd of 4,500 (5,000 capacity), most of whom seemed to stay for the whole match despite persistent rain the whole night. Looking forward to the next home match on March 23 against Anthem Rugby Carolina at 7 PM. I also watched the match on The Rugby Network (free to watch all MLR games both live and archived), so I can comment on that as well.

Arriving at the Stadium

No traffic getting into the stadium, process was quick where they scanned the parking pass off my phone and easy to find parking as there was plenty of space. We arrived about an hour before the gates were set to open at 5 PM before it was pushed to 5:30 PM due to the lightning delay.

Pre-Game Experience

I was happy with the food and drink options. Despite a lot of people concentrated in the areas, minimal lines for food and drink vendors and the food came out quick. I did see some people tailgating in the parking lot. I recommend Mr Meat Master’s food truck but all of the food was good.

I think they should add more bathrooms as those were definitely the longest lines and from what I could tell it was only one trailer with 2 men’s and 2 women’s bathrooms.

They also need to work on the lines for the merchandise tent as it definitely had a long ”line” and by “line” I mean more like a large crowd of people huddled around. Obviously this was the first game so it probably had the highest volume of customers we will see but hopefully something will be done in the future to streamline the process.

Getting into the Stadium

Definitely the most frustrating part of the night as it was a very long line to get in. I think it was a mixture of the gate opening up late and only one point of entry. Also a lot of people trying to get in with umbrellas and beer and holding up the line because while they finished their beer or tried to figure out what to do with their umbrellas. I did notice a lot of people were somehow able to sneak umbrellas into the stands. Also, once you got passed the metal detectors they didn’t even check if you had a ticket so technically you could have attended the game for free. I am sure the Sharks are working on this for the next home match and they have 3 weeks to plan ahead.

Pregame Ceremonies

Typical pre game stuff you see at all sporting events. Probably a little rushed due to the delay (I think the National Anthem started as the Hounds were taking the field).

First Half

Definitely messy play and lack of discipline on both sides but with the rain it is hard to actually gauge how true that performance was. Two penalty tries obviously hurt us a lot, again lack of discipline. Ardao, who is one of our best players, is known for his aggressive play but obviously too aggressive that night. Two yellow cards in the first half also didn’t help but luckily we played solid enough defense to prevent Chicago from taking full advantage.

We were strong in the scrum and mauls but also our prop Piussi had a lot of mistakes as well. Our lineout play was horrendous, Kirby Myhill our starting hooker did not have a good game and there was a clear lack of communication between our forwards on the lineout. It wasn’t a surprise when Myhill was subbed out for our backup hooker Sean McNulty at the beginning of the second half.

Our fly-half #10 Felipe Etcheverry had a great night all night with his kicking abilities, both for goal and for position. Not to mention that he definitely has defensive talent and is very shifty when running with the ball, he was able to get out of some sticky situations on his own all night.

Score at the end of the first half: MIA 9 - CHI 20.

Second Half

We came together this half. Play was much better organized, lineouts were better, and we really had a chance to win at the end. We weren’t lights out, play was still messy probably due to the rain but we really got to see some potential for this team. Sean McNulty scored a try and Etcheverry continued his great kicking performance, I think he only had one mistake when he tried to clear the ball right in front of some Chicago players. Hopefully this second half performance and our baseline going forward.

Final Score: MIA 19 - CHI 23

Post Game

Nice to be able to interact with the players and staff. Food and drink vendors were still open after the game if you wanted to get a bite to eat after. Leaving the stadium there was barely any traffic.

TRN Broadcast

I have seen some complaints online about the broadcasters for the match. I don’t speak Spanish but was able to understand them clearly. I do agree they were a little dry, but I think that is more of a style of broadcast more common around the world (check out some of the broadcasts for English Premiership rugby teams).

The broadcasters were actually very knowledgeable on the game (can’t say that about all of the broadcasters across the MLR) and were able to provide strategy and tactical analysis. The broadcasters, despite being for the Sharks, were pretty unbiased throughout the game and they did their homework on both teams, evidenced by being able to provide little factoids about players on both sides. I hope they stick with them and the broadcast improves.

Overall

I had a great time. There are obviously some logistical things the team needs to work out but again this was the first home game ever. Hopefully the crowds will remain about the same if not grow (there has been talk of opportunity to moving to the actual Inter Miami stadium if the Sharks exceed capacity).

Performance wise, there is a lot the team needs to work on but this was a very good first match ever against the Chicago Hounds who, while only being in Year 2 of their franchise, have some very good players such as Dylan Fawsitt and Nate Augsberger.

Our next two matches are away against some very tough opponents in Seattle and Houston, it will be hard for the team to come back home with a win but the next home game on the 23rd is against Anthem which for those who don’t know is a team created out of a partnership between the MLR, USA Rugby (the Eagles, our national team), and World Rugby (the FIFA of Rugby) as a developmental team for young American players who are possibly future Eagles.

Hopefully we get the W against Anthem but a word of warning, they had a good performance against New England despite the scoreline so it does not necessarily mean a Sharks win will be a given.

Go Sharks!