Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The top-ranked team in the Eastern Conference takes on the last-place Anthem in the Windy City on Sunday afternoon. Five wins in a row have vaulted the Hounds into championship contender status. For the Carolina outfit it’s another week in desperate search of a first every franchise victory.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
6-1-0 (W5) East 1st
0-7-0 (L7) East 6th
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
|
IN | OUT |
| 3 | Ignacio Péculo | Charlie Abel |
| 10 | Tim Swiel | Christopher Hilsenbeck |
| 11 | Julián Domínguez | Noah Brown |
| 15 | Michael Hand | Adriaan Carelse |
|
IN | OUT |
| 11 | Mark O’Keeffe | Nate Augspurger |
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(14) – Pifeleti, Fawsitt, Campbell, O’Keeffe, White, Baska (USA), Péculo (Uruguay), M Flesch, Rumball, Oworu, N Flesh (Canada), Devoto (England), Zhvania (Georgia), Hilsenbeck (Germany)
(7) – Maughan, Golla, Storti, Mooneyham, Fricker, Wilson (USA), Apikotoa (Tonga)
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Charlie Abel (TH), Nate Augspurger (WI)
– Jake Turnbull (LH), Cliven Loubser (FH), Junior Gafa (CE)
| PREDICTION |
Chris Latham has resisted wholesale changes, perhaps in recognition of Anthem’s improvements in recent weeks. While their record is unimpressive, ARC have tested every team they have faced since the Round 2 letdown against San Diego. The Hounds meanwhile bested the Legion in California just a week ago with their powerhouse pack leading the charge. Chicago are clear favorites at home.
| LINEUPS |
CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Ignacio Péculo, 4 James Scott, 5 Hamish Bain, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 9 Mitch Short, 10 Tim Swiel, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Ollie Devoto, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Mark O’Keeffe, 15 Michael Hand
Replacements: 16 Jackson Zabierek, 17 Zura Zhvania, 18 Koby Baker, 19 Luke White, 20 Matthew Oworu, 21 Michael Baska, 22 Christopher Hilsenbeck, 23 Noah Flesch
ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Dan Hanson, 2 Connor Robinson, 3 Alex Maughan, 4 Sam Golla (capt.), 5 Alejandro Martinez Tapia, 6 Alby O’Shannessey, 7 Makeen Alikhan, 8 Colin Turner, 9 Ishy Safodien, 10 Cam Gerlach, 11 Jason Tidwell, 12 Erich Storti, 13 Watson Filikitonga, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Toby Fricker
Replacements: 16 Ethan Howard, 17 Joe Apikotoa, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Puna Vuli, 20 Graeme Pedegana, 21 Carlo de Nysschen, 22 EJ Freeman, 23 Mitch Wilson
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Sunday, April 13
Venue: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview
Kickoff: 13:00 local (11:00 Pacific, 14:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 61°F (16°C), wind S 17-25mph (27-40km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, Fox Chicago+, Sky Sports NZ, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Amelia Luciano (USA)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Chris O’Malley (USA)
TMO: Amanda Cox (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (2) – Chicago 2, Carolina 0
2024-06-22 – Anthem Carolina 29, Chicago Hounds 38 (American Legion Stadium)
2024-04-14 – Chicago Hounds 59, Anthem Carolina 26 (SeatGeek Stadium)
