Last season’s Eastern Conference finalists will renew acquaintances in Chicago on Sunday. Things look very differently today, with the defending champion Free Jacks suddenly looking very beatable. While it’s still early doors, as the saying goes, the Hounds have bolted out of the gate to start 2026.
| IN | OUT | |
| n/a | n/a |
 |
IN | OUT |
| 8 | Tayne Hemopo | Joe Johnston |
| 13 | Wayne van der Bank | Kienan Higgins |
|
PLAYER | PREVIOUS CLUB |
| 22 | Tevita Mapa | Life University |
- Injured / unavailable – (Hounds) Malcolm May; (Free Jacks) Joe Johnston, Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz
- it’s an unchanged starting lineup for Chicago after their convincing win against the Legion… the only change to the 23 sees former Houston flanker Emmanuel Albert come in on the bench to make his anticipated Hounds debut
- Brock Webster lines up opposite his former team… the Canadian international played a starring role for the Free Jacks in their title defense last season
- with Joe Johnston ruled due with injury, Canada’s vice-captain Ben LeSage steps into the top on-field leadership role for New England… he last skippered the side in May of 2024 against Miami
- Tayne Hemopo gets a run at No8 for the Free Jacks… the young New Zealander started at lock in the season opener, but was used primarily as a back row for Tasman in the NPC
- former Life University star Tevita Mapa is set for his pro debut as a replacement for New England… he’ll cover loose forward on this occasion, but can also pack down at hooker if needed
Another breezy afternoon is on the forecast in Bridgeview, but there’s little chance of rain and mild temperatures. The set piece is Chicago’s bread-and-butter, and should put New England under pressure. Hemopo does add a different dimension to the Free Jacks attack, while Wayne van der Bank provides spark to the midfield. On form it’s an easy call, however, with the visitors yet to show their best. Chicago are clear favorites at home in Bridgeview.
CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Theo Fourie, 3 Charlie Abel, 4 Tomás Casares, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 Chris Hilsenbeck, 11 Jason Tidwell, 12 Ollie 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 Emmanuel Albert, 21 Michael Baska, 22 Reece Botha, 23 Santiago Videla
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Nate Sylvia, 2 Kaleb Geiger, 3 Maliu Niuafe, 4 Piers von Dadelszen, 5 Ollie Aylmer, 6 Jacob Norris, 7 Alex Mackenzie, 8 Tayne Hemopo, 9 Oscar Lennon, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Mitch Wilson, 12 Ben LeSage (capt.), 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Nathan Salmon, 15 Harrison Boyle
Replacements: 16 Sione Tupou, 17 Tevita Sole, 18 Filipe Vakasiuola, 19 Braemar Murray, 20 Bailey Wilson, 21 Ethan McVeigh, 22 Tevita Mapa, 23 Line Latu
Date: Sunday, April 19
Venue: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview
Kickoff: 15:00 local (13:00 Pacific, 16:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: partly cloudy, 48°F (9°C), wind NW 15-24 mph (25-38 km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+ (USA), Premier Sports (International), Fox Chicago+ (Local), NBC Sports Boston (Local)
Referee: Peter Pender (Canada)
Assistants: Robin Kaluzniak (Canada) & Mike Lawrenson (USA)
TMO: n/a
HEAD-TO-HEAD (7) – Free Jacks 5, Hounds 2
2025-06-21 – New England Free Jacks 21, Chicago Hounds 20 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2025-05-10 – New England Free Jacks 27, Chicago Hounds 17 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2025-03-02 – Chicago Hounds 36, New England Free Jacks 7 (SeatGeek Stadium)
2024-07-27 – New England Free Jacks 23, Chicago Hounds 17 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2024-05-05 – New England Free Jacks 20, Chicago Hounds 26 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2024-03-24 – Chicago Hounds 17, New England Free Jacks 22 (SeatGeek Stadium)
2023-04-08 – New England Free Jacks 31, Chicago Hounds 19 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)