Hounds Acquire Sam Faoagali in Trade with Warriors

CHICAGO, IL- The Chicago Hounds’ confirmed today they have acquired hooker Sam Faoagali via trade. The Hounds received the up-and-coming hooker from the Utah Warriors in exchange for salary cap considerations during the 2024 season.

The 21-year-old prospect joins the Hounds after spending part of the 2023 Major League Rugby season with the Utah Warriors. The Warriors added Faoagali to their roster after the hooker’s impressive season with the USA Hawks. He started five of the six games he featured in for the Hawks last year.

Prior to the 2024 MLR season, Faoagali joined the Hounds’ Academy Program. He started both games he appeared in, a loss to the San Diego Legion academy and a win over the Toronto Arrows academy.

Originally born in American Samoa, Faoagali moved to New Zealand at a young age. He cut his teeth playing for Perth Bayswater Rugby Club and Curtin University Rugby Club, both located in Western Australia.

The American-qualified hooker joins a position group riddled with experience. The new-look group signed perennial All-Pro Dylan Fawsitt this offseason while adding Uruguayan international Guillermo Pujadas,  another hooker option with World Cup experience. The Hounds signed 24-year-old South African prospect Janus Venter to the 2024 squad as well, adding even more depth and talent to a position group that returns no players from the 2023 Hounds team.

Roster to Date:

To date, the Chicago Hounds have signed the following players for the 2024 Major League Rugby season:

• Nick McCarthy, scrumhalf
• Ben Landry, lock/flanker
• Dave Kearney, wing
• Bryce Campbell, center*
• Zurabi Zhvania, prop
• Billy Meakes, center*
• Julian Dominguez, wing*
• George Merrick, lock
• Tinashe Muchena, back row*
• Adriaan Carelse, fullback
• Jason Higgins, scrumhalf (via trade with San Diego)
• Paddy Ryan, prop*
• Mark O’Keeffe, center*
• Janus Venter, hooker
• Mike Matarazzo, lock/flanker*
• Ignacio Peculo, prop
• Cassh Maluia, outside back
• Guillermo Pujadas, hooker
• Dylan Fawsitt, hooker
• James Scott, lock
• Nate Augspurger, wing (via trade with NOLA Gold)
• Brad Tucker, lock/flanker (via Dispersal Draft)
• Mason Flesch, flanker (via Dispersal Draft)
• Michael Hand, wing
• Lucas Rumball, flanker
• Conall Boomer, flanker
• Caolan Dooley, utility back
• Fred Apulu, prop*
• Michael Baska, utility back*
• Charlie Abel, prop*
• LaRome White, prop*
• Maclean Jones, flanker*
• Luke White, back row/ lock*
• Luke Carty, flyhalf*
• Ethan Parkins, flanker
• Sidney Shoop, scrumhalf*
• Sam Faoagali, hooker (via trade with Utah Warriors)

Star denotes re-signed/ returning player.