Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Hounds have announced the addition of Canadian loose forward Matthew Oworu to their roster for the 2025 Major League Rugby season. Born in Canada, Oworu moved to Zimbabwe at a young age, where he was introduced to rugby. He later returned to Canada for university and began training with the Pacific Pride program, leading to his involvement with the Canadian 7s team.

Oworu has been a consistent presence on the Canadian 7s team since his debut in Vancouver during the 2021 season. He has accumulated 105 caps and scored 11 tries in series play. During the 2023/2024 season, he appeared in 17 matches, scoring four tries and earning 20 points.

His performances earned him a call-up to Canada's national team ahead of their 2022 summer test series. He made his international debut against Belgium and started against Spain, showcasing his abilities despite Canada's loss.

In 2023, Oworu participated in the La Vila International Rugby Cup held in Spain, where he formed part of an all-Chicago back row for Canada alongside fellow Hounds players Mason Flesch and Lucas Rumball. Despite losses in various matches, Oworu continued to be selected for international competitions.

Most recently, Oworu was named to Canada's squad for their autumn test match series against Romania and Chile. He joins other Chicago Hounds players on tour as they prepare for upcoming matches.