Anthem enter uncharted territory on Saturday as they look to back up their first franchise victory in their 2026 home opener. It won’t be an easy task, as their opponents Chicago start their campaign as one of the favorites for the title. The Hounds missed out on the Final last season by the width of a goal-post and Chris Latham’s charges will be looking to show they’re championship material this year.
| IN | OUT | |
| 2 | Seth Smith | Campbell Robb |
| 13 | Will Leonard | Erich Storti |
 |
PLAYER | PREVIOUS CLUB |
| 2 | Theo Fourie | Brothers (AU) |
- Injured / unavailable – (Anthem) Junior Gafa; (Hounds) Malcolm May, Peyton Wall
- Smith (ex-Houston) and Leonard (LA) make their Anthem debuts , along with reserves Oliver Kane (San Diego) and Malacchi Esdale (Seattle)… Smith and tighthead prop Kane both attended the Eagles alignment camp in California earlier this year… winger Esdale toured with the Eagles to Europe in November and was previously a standout on the World Sevens Series
- former Anthem captain Jake Turnbull makes his Hounds debut, along with Tomás Casares and Santiago Videla (Miami), Nathan Den Hoedt (Houston), Ruben de Haas and Reece Botha (NOLA), Tavite Lopeti and Brandon Harvey (San Diego), and Brock Webster (New England)
- Maclean Jones celebrates his 50th appearance for Chicago… former Australia u20 flanker played 22 games in two seasons with Austin before making the move north in 2023
Agustín Cavalieri (Head Coach)
“We need to maintain the drive and passion that was required to achieve that first victory.”
“I don’t want players on the bench where, at the 70th minute, I have to question whether I should put them on. I want every player fighting for their time on the field.”
Warm and slightly breezy conditions are expected at kickoff. Anthem have unprecedented confidence but the Hounds should present a clear step up from last week’s subpar Legion. Lucas Rumball headlines an all-star back row trio while Theo Fourie is tasked with replacing the legendary Dylan Fawsitt. Eagles veteran Ruben de Haas adds leadership in the halfbacks. This will be competitive but anything less than a victory would be a bitter result for Latham’s men. Chicago are favorites on the road in Charlotte.
ANTHEM RC
1 Payton Telea-Ilalio, 2 Seth Smith, 3 Alex Maughan, 4 Will Sherman, 5 James Scott, 6 Johan Momsen (capt.), 7 Moni Tonga’uiha, 8 Makeen Alikhan, 9 Zion Going, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Julian Roberts, 12 Tom Pittman, 13 Will Leonard, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Jordan Trainor
Replacements: 16 Ramiro Gurovich, 17 Alessandro Heaney, 18 Oliver Kane, 19 Sam Golla, 20 Baden Godfrey, 21 Karl Keane, 22 Marques Fuala’au, 23 Malacchi Esdale
CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 Jake Turnbull, 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 Noah Brown, 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 Jake Kinneeveauk, 21 Michael Baska, 22 Reece Botha, 23 Santiago Videla
Date: Saturday, April 4
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte
Kickoff: 16:00 local (13:00 Pacific, 15:00 Central)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 81°F (27°C), wind S 11-16 mph (18-26 km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+ (USA), Premier Sports (International), WCCB Charlotte (Local), Fox Chicago Plus (Local)
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Robin Kaluzniak (Canada) & Dave Edwards (USA)
TMO: n/a
HEAD-TO-HEAD (4) – Chicago 4, Carolina 0
2025-05-24 – Anthem Carolina 19, Chicago Hounds 33 (American Legion Stadium)
2025-04-13 – Chicago Hounds 28, Anthem Carolina 20 (SeatGeek Stadium)
2024-06-22 – Anthem Carolina 29, Chicago Hounds 38 (American Legion Stadium)
2024-04-14 – Chicago Hounds 59, Anthem Carolina 26 (SeatGeek Stadium)