North American Rugby Database

Report

The Chicago Hounds host Anthem RC at Seatgeek Stadium for a Sunday Night Rugby marquee matchup during Round 7 of the 2026 MLR season.

The Hounds remain unbeaten through the first half of the 2025 season, and top the MLR standings with the maximum 25pts and a 5-0 record, holding the Old Mate in the process. Anthem RC are coming off their bye week in Rd 6, and sit in 4th with a respectable 2-3 record. The Hounds fielded a rotated lineup for this game, and Anthem may see this as their best chance to take them down a peg.

The visitors came flying out of the gate and opened the scoring through Dom Akina in just the 3rd minute, but Luke Carty was unable to add the extras fora  5-0 lead that lasted roughly 5 minutes when the Chicago Hounds hit back through Matt Oworu, then Maclean Jones a few minutes later with Videla able to add the extras for both, giving the Hounds a 5-14 lead. The first half an hour was pretty end to end, with Johan Momsen and Mark O’Keeffe picking up a pair of tries each, and Mac Jones adding a second of his own to balloon the score to 33-19. Incidentally, this was the score at the final whistle of the first meeting between these two teams earlier this season, but they got there in just over 30 minutes this time.

Just as they did in the first half, the Rising Stars started the second on the front foot, and got on the board early once again, this time through Malacchi Esdale to cut the deficit to 9pts. Unfortunately for Anthem, the Chicago Hounds then hit back roughly 8 minutes later (also similar to the first half) with Theo Fourie and Brock Webster tries sandwiching a Marques Fuala’au try, then Peyton Wall & Jake Kinneeveauk scores sandwiching a Campbell Robb try to finish things off. A strong effort from Anthem RC, who secure a try BP and record 6 tries, but the Chicago Hounds continue to dominate this season, scoring 9 tries of their own and setting a new franchise record with 61pts scored. It’s quite the statement from Chicago to concede 6 tries and 36pts but still win by 25.

With 6 wins from 6, the Chicago Hounds can already secure a playoff spot in their clash with the 2nd placed California Legion, while Anthem RC fall to 2-4 but still sit in a playoff spot with 12pts. The Rising Stars need to get back in the win column soon if they want to stay competitive however, and face a resurgent Seattle Seawolves team on the road next week.