Brendan O'Meara - Anthem Rugby MLR
In this episode of the Rugby NorCal Podcast, Nate Dalena sits down with Brendan “Brendo” O’Meara to discuss his journey from Northern California rugby to coaching in Major League Rugby. Brendo shares how his early experiences with San Francisco Golden Gate and Saint Mary’s College shaped his understanding of the game and ultimately led him into the professional coaching ranks. The conversation covers the influence of mentors like Tim O’Brien, the importance of rugby culture and alumni networks, and the long path from volunteer coaching to the professional level. Brendo also explains what he has learned from coaching in different environments, including MLR and Super Rugby Americas, and how those experiences shaped his approach to player development. Brendo breaks down what he believes American players need most to succeed: strong core skills, high rugby IQ, and the ability to be a “triple threat” with the ball. He also gives listeners a look inside the weekly preparation cycle of an MLR team and discusses the current landscape of professional rugby in the United States. The episode finishes with a conversation about the future of MLR, the role of the Anthem team in developing American players, and why the rugby community must actively support the professional game in the United States.
Show Notes
Key Topics
Brendo’s rugby journey
• Starting at San Francisco Golden Gate as a sophomore
• Lessons from coaches Mike Caravelli and Tony Wells
• The influence of the “15 vs 15” philosophy
Saint Mary’s College rugby
• Why he chose Saint Mary’s
• The impact of Tim O’Brien and the program’s culture
• The power of the alumni network
Building a coaching career
• Volunteering for seven years at Saint Mary’s
• Joining the USA U20 pathway
• Learning foundational coaching from J.D. Stevenson
Entering professional rugby
• Assistant coach and academy role with the Austin Gilgronis
• Working with international coaches and learning professional systems
• Experience coaching in Super Rugby Americas with the American Raptors
Utah Warriors and MLR coaching
• Role as Attack and Backs Coach
• Team success leading the league in tries and points
• What it takes to run a professional weekly training cycle
Player development in the United States
• The importance of core skills
• Why players must be able to carry, pass, and kick
• How watching professional rugby improves decision making
The future of professional rugby in the US
• MLR’s reset to a smaller league
• More opportunities for American players
• The importance of community support for the league and national team
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