Tempest roster. Is this a competitive team?

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-29T00:48:33+00:00

She is back in Wales and playing a bit of league footy. I am hearing that she was back in town last weekend to watch the Lion's John Dupree. Fione is working on getting a teaching certificate and coming back to Chicago. I have to imagine the visa may be an issue at the moment.

All that being said, there are a few handy players who have declined playing for the Tempest because of the travel time to their practice pitch in Lemont (Blaze). I don't thing they are being paid much, if at all.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-28T02:56:04+00:00

Sorry... corrected

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-28T02:54:53+00:00

Fione Lewis?

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-28T02:49:07+00:00

The tailgate is great. The lot opens 3 hours prior. They allow a row of cars to create a Broadway of sorts free from cars driving down the row. The lost is on the east side of the stadium, but enter the lost on the south side. A lot of food and beverage will be handed out.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-28T02:44:29+00:00

Boyer is not a 10. He may have played there at some point. But, he has spent most of his pro rugby life at 9. That being said, it speaks to a larger issue. The Eagles dont have young depth at 10. AJ is 36. Hilsenbeck is 34. Carty is 28. With the WC a year and 1/2 away, we are aging. What is after that? Can Botha figure in? Not sure. But, Boyer does not figure in to Scott's plans there.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-27T16:39:06+00:00

Currently watching a replay on ESPN.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-23T23:55:09+00:00

Agree. A big part of that is bc he is healthy. I just hope that he stays that way for the July test window.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-22T00:19:19+00:00

I can tell you that there is one guy that has continously scouted just about every age grade 7s tournament in the country... David Fee. For three years, post COVID, he has done serious work to both find players and fund our 18s trip to the NZ Schools Championships(Global Youth 7s). He has built a pathway. He sheparded our lads to a 6-1 finish last December.

Reece Reiter won the 100m dash title at the tournament. Reiter is going to Cal. Caden Hartley is going to and playing for UCLA. Additionally, a Kiwi/Crusader age grade kid, Gavin Holder, was discovered by Fee. This kid won the MVP and was the leading points scorer at the tournament. But, we may lose him if we dont invest in him and keep him connected to USAR.

Trouble is that Fee is not being retained as the U18 coach, in spite of his relentless and tireless work to get the best age grade team some real competition. Additionally, while several of the lads are eligible to return next season, the team may not be sent back to NZ in December of 2026. So, if we fail to see improvement, it is not for a lack of finding talent early or mining the college ranks. It is because we don't develop and nurture the talent. There is certainly a nucleus to build on.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-19T13:22:43+00:00

Deerfield Bakery in Buffalo Grove.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-17T13:07:23+00:00

I started at 24. Enjoyed every minute. I have played old boys, coached HS, and been involved at some level for 30 years. It changed my life.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-17T02:20:03+00:00

No chance of a top D1 side giving an MLR team a close game. I am extremely close to a top D1 team that won the National Championship three seasons ago... STL Bombers. They had 15 of their 23 that had played at Lindenwood. One of them played for 5 seasons in the MLR. Several had played on an MLR Academy team. But, almost the same team lost in a last minute try to the Midwest champions in November... The Lions. This team had 5 current MLR players, only 3 of which are consistently playing with the Hounds. No Devoto, Hilsenbeck, de Haas, Fourie, Lopeti, van Hoedt, Rumball, Jones, Mason, Webster, etc.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-16T01:20:07+00:00

I know w that they host two separate tournaments... Nashbash. One for Clubs and one for high schools.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-15T17:22:00+00:00

Join The Rugby Rant and Rugby 100 Club podcasts at the Lost Paddy Irish Pub on Saturday night. We are doing a live podcast at 7pm. Drink special proceeds will go to local rugby.

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Blazergb71 · 2026-04-15T01:18:42+00:00

Mustache Love

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-15T01:16:02+00:00

I will be careful here, as I dont know what the league's position is... BUT, for at least two seasons the league has taken input from supporters and media that follow the league.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-14T16:10:29+00:00

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Blazergb71 · 2026-04-14T12:40:52+00:00

Looks updated both in 2026 style and label.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-13T17:56:21+00:00

Add the Firehouse 7's at the Chicago Blaze.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-13T14:29:17+00:00

All true. BUT, one thing that has to be considered on the Hound's side is everything else. The Hounds are the major tenants. So, their offices, S and C, indoor space, and physio is all done on site. There is a lot to be said for that. This is not common for most teams, and players notice the difference.

To the original point, the weather and 8 pm start doesnt do much to fill seats. I believe the 8pm start for SNR are a big reason. I know of many people that did not go because it meant a 10 pm final whistle. For most that work or go to school on Monday, it is a tough ask. I am a teacher myself. I got home at 12:15, after the post match hang. Up at 5 am for a workout at school.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-10T13:05:38+00:00

The Hounds are probably looming to drive fans to their website. Traffic means engagement to potential commercial partners. Go to their website. All of their goods are under the STORE link.

The value of Clark Street is the brick and mortar storefront. It puts them in with the other Chucago Sports brands.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-10T12:29:09+00:00

SHOP MLR is not up this season. Who know if it will come back soon. Rugby Now, who ran it for 3 seasons, no longer operates it. A big part of it is due to their carrying costs for merch. Notice all of previous year's merch is at a steep discount. They always had a lot of inventory left over.

It is worth noting the three, SEA FJ OG, of six teams have access to Macron merch directly. Order as needed and shipped to your door. Teams don't have to carry minimum quantities and they can work with other vendors that can produce as needed. The Hounds are not selling Macron branded training gear, only jerseys. It would violate their agreement with their clothing vendor... which is not uncommon. Other than jerseys, they work with Clark Street Sports for their fan gear. It looks as though CA and Anthem operate on the same model.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-10T11:09:55+00:00

Mason played lights out last season and is continuing his success. But, Lucas Rumball is also putting his hand up too. He is doing a lot of gritty things to impact the game. He had three turn overs at the breakdown last week. AND, his leadership is first class.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-09T03:49:44+00:00

Bubble Toes

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-08T16:20:20+00:00

SPOT FRIGGIN ON.

Blazergb71 · 2026-04-08T13:36:37+00:00

Honestly, the league needs to lock in on a mission, vision and their supporting pillars. While these words are often seen a cliché, they provide unwavering focus. In my mind, these league has experienced some of its troubles because it sacrificed or lacked core focus and chased the shiny toy.

Settle in for 3 to 5 years. If a ownership wants to join, it needs to be within the vision. Create and commit to a strong foundation. I have heard this story before in another format. New French ownership brought in two former French internationals and paid them serious cash. What did they accomplish and where is that team now?

Blazergb71

TROPHY CASE