Tavite Lopeti of United States takes on Caleb Muntz of Fiji during the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup Semi-Final between Fiji and United States at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)
2022 Major League Rugby Rookie of the Year Tavite Lopeti joins a host of other Chicago Hounds debutants in the run-on side for their 2026 opener against Anthem Rugby Carolina, who kicked off the season with a historic win last weekend.
Anthem RC had never won an MLR game before but ended that drought with a 39-26 win over California Legion. Conner Mooneyham, who was the first-ever number one pick in MLR Draft history, is among the starters for Saturday’s clash with Chicago in Charlotte.
Wallabies great Chris Latham, who is the Chicago Hounds Head Coach, has named the 23-man squad for that match at American Legion Memorial Stadium. There are multiple debutants in the First XV alone, including Lopeti at outside centre.
Lopeti was initially drafted by the Seattle Seawolves and made an immediate impact in the league, earning Second-Team All-Pro honours and ROTY. The midfielder has since been capped by the USA national team, suiting up late last year against Scotland, Georgia and Romania.
Front-rowers Jake Turnbull and rookie Theo Fourie will both debut for the Hounds, joining highly experienced tighthead prop Charlie Abel in the starting side. Capped USA Eagle Tomas Casares joins Nathan Den Hoedt in a new Hounds second row.
There are four debutants in the forward pack, with the backrow seeing the return of a familiar trio, including captain Lucas Rumball at No. 8. Mason Flesh will line up at blindside flanker, while Maclean Jones has been selected at openside.
Ruben De Haas will make his first appearance for the club at scrum-half, linking up with Chris Hilsenbeck in the halves. With Bryce Campbell retiring, Ollie Devoto shifts to inside centre this season, partnering Lopeti in the midfield.
2025 Championship game MVP Brock Webster headlines the electrifying outside backs selected by Latham for this fixture, with the Canadian international starting at fullback. Noah Brown and Mark O’Keeffe are the two wingers.
This match is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 pm CT on Saturday afternoon.
Last 4 Meetings
Chicago Hounds to face Anthem Rugby Carolina
1. Jake Turnbull
2. Theo Fourie
3. Charlie Abel
4. Tomas Casares
5. Nathan Den Hoedt
6. Mason Flesch
7. Mac Jones
8. Lucas Rumball (C)
9. Ruben De Haas
10. Chris Hilsenbeck
11. Noah Brown
12. Oliver Devoto
13. Tavite Lopeti
14. Mark O’Keeffe
15. Brock Webster
Replacements
16. Jackson Zabierek
17. Luke White
18. Koby Baker
19. Brandon Harvey
20. Jake Kinneeveauk
21. Michael Baska
22. Reece Botha
23. Santiago Videla
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