Team

Chicago selected the Australian native in the expansion draft held earlier this year.

Meakes is a two-time first-team All-Pro (2021, 2022) and has won consecutive Back of the Year awards. He spent his first two Major League Rugby seasons (2021 and 2022) in Los Angeles where he appeared in 27 contests, including 15 starts in 15 appearances this last year.

Meakes has terrorized defenses over his first two years in the season, beating 90 defenders and breaking the line 13 times. He totaled 310 career carries for 2,495 meters (8.0 meters per carry) with five tries scored. On defense, he’s credited with 241 tackles for the last two seasons.

He’s played in two playoff games and helped the Giltinis win the 2021 Western Conference championship along with the 2021 MLR Championship Series Shield.

The center competed with the Australian Under-20 team in the 2011 U20 World Championships, finishing in third place. He joined Gloucester in the English Premiership in 2013, where he spent three seasons before returning to Australia and signing with the Western Force. After two seasons with the Force, Meakes signed with the Rebels before moving to the London Irish in 2020 on a short-term deal.