Maclean Jones Bio
Maclean Jones (born 12 June 1996) is an Australian rugby union player who plays as a flanker for the Chicago Hounds in Major League Rugby (MLR). Standing 186 cm tall and listed at 101 kg, he is recognised for his work at the breakdown and around the contact area. Beyond his playing career, Jones serves as the head coach of the Loyola University Chicago Men’s Rugby program, balancing his professional commitments in the United States with a developmental role in the college game.
Early Life and Background
Jones was born on 12 June 1996 in Australia and grew up in a country with a strong rugby union tradition. From a young age, he was drawn to the sport, following a path that many Australian aspiring professionals travel through local clubs and school programmes. His physical development during his teenage years allowed him to transition smoothly into senior-level rugby, where his size and athleticism became defining traits on the field.
Before turning professional, Jones was part of the Warringah Rats, an amateur rugby club in Sydney, between 2016 and 2019. The Warringah Rats are one of the most respected amateur clubs in Australia, and his time there helped him refine the fundamentals of forward play. This period laid the foundation for his later move into the professional ranks and remains a key part of his rugby background.
Path to Professional Rugby
Jones began his senior career in 2015 with Queensland Country, a pathway side associated with the Queensland Reds system. Spending the 2015 to 2016 period there, he gained valuable experience in high-performance environments and learned the demands of consistent senior rugby. His time in Queensland marked the transition from promising amateur to recognised professional prospect.
In 2017, Jones earned a Super Rugby contract with the New South Wales Waratahs, Australia’s most decorated Super Rugby franchise. Although his time in a Waratahs shirt was brief, the experience placed him among an elite group of Australian forwards and exposed him to top-level coaching. He also moved to the NSW Country Eagles, where he continued to develop from 2017 to 2019 while representing the franchise in the National Rugby Championship.
Maclean Jones Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Jones opened his senior career with Queensland Country during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Playing in a competitive environment, he built a reputation as a hard-working forward capable of contributing at the breakdown and in tight phases. His performances in this period attracted attention from Super Rugby scouts and set the stage for his elevation to a higher level.
During these formative years, Jones also played his amateur rugby with the Warringah Rats, a dual pathway that allowed him to maintain club connections while progressing professionally. The combination of representative rugby and club rugby helped him develop a well-rounded game and prepared him for the intensity of Super Rugby.
Super Rugby and National Rugby Championship (2017–2019)
Jones joined the Waratahs in 2017 for a Super Rugby campaign, joining one of Australia’s most prestigious franchises. Although his stint at Super Rugby level was short, it provided him with a taste of high-level professional rugby and gave him a platform to showcase his abilities on a national stage. The Waratahs environment, known for its strong forward culture, helped him sharpen the technical side of his game.
From 2017 to 2019, Jones represented the NSW Country Eagles in the National Rugby Championship, a tournament that bridges club and professional rugby in Australia. He was a consistent performer for the side, contributing both as a flanker and on occasion at number eight. In 2018, he also turned out for the Sydney Rays, broadening his exposure to different team environments during the same season.
Major League Rugby with Austin Gilgronis (2021–2022)
Jones moved to the United States in 2021, joining the Austin Gilgronis in Major League Rugby. The move to MLR represented a new chapter in his career and an opportunity to test himself in a growing North American competition. Playing as a flanker, he quickly became a valuable member of the team’s forward pack, contributing in defence, at the breakdown, and in physical exchanges up front.
His time with the Austin Gilgronis lasted through 2022, during which he experienced the rapid growth of MLR as a professional competition. The period in Texas allowed him to settle into American rugby culture and build a reputation that would lead to his next opportunity. By the end of his stint with the Gilgronis, Jones was regarded as an experienced international forward capable of influencing matches.
Chicago Hounds Era (2023–Present)
Jones joined the Chicago Hounds in 2023 and has been a key part of the franchise’s forward unit since. Playing in Major League Rugby, he brings international experience and a hard-edged approach to the contact area. The Chicago Hounds have benefited from his leadership and consistency, particularly in tight matches where forward dominance often decides outcomes.
As a number seven, Jones combines mobility with the physicality expected of a modern openside flanker. His partnership with the Hounds’ coaching staff and fellow forwards has helped him continue to evolve as a player. The Chicago environment has also allowed him to take on a broader role in the American rugby community, including his coaching duties with Loyola University Chicago.
Coaching Role at Loyola University Chicago
In addition to his playing duties, Jones serves as head coach of the Loyola University Chicago Men’s Rugby program. The role allows him to give back to the sport by developing the next generation of American college players. His dual involvement in professional and college rugby reflects a commitment to the long-term growth of the game in the United States.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jones’s career has been marked by steady progression through Australia’s professional pathways, including a Super Rugby appearance with the Waratahs and National Rugby Championship representation with the NSW Country Eagles. His transition to Major League Rugby and continued presence with the Chicago Hounds highlight his longevity and adaptability as a modern professional forward.
Maclean Jones Career Highlights
Across his career, Jones has built a reputation as a dependable and physical forward capable of performing in multiple rugby environments. His journey from Queensland Country to the Chicago Hounds reflects a player who has consistently embraced new challenges at every stage. He has represented professional and representative teams in Australia before establishing himself in Major League Rugby in the United States.
Maclean Jones Family
Personal Life
Maclean Jones is an Australian by nationality and was born in Australia on 12 June 1996. He has spent much of his professional career abroad, first in Australia and later in the United States, where he currently plays for the Chicago Hounds. His residence in the Chicago area reflects his commitment to both his club duties and his coaching role at Loyola University Chicago.
2025 Season Outlook
As the 2025 Major League Rugby season approaches, Jones continues his role with the Chicago Hounds as an experienced and influential member of the forward pack. His combination of size, speed, and breakdown work makes him a central figure in the team’s plans. The Hounds are expected to rely on his leadership as they compete in a competitive MLR landscape.
Jones’s ongoing presence in Chicago also strengthens his dual role as a player and as head coach of the Loyola University Chicago Men’s Rugby program. The synergy between his professional and collegiate commitments allows him to influence rugby in the region on multiple levels. With continued fitness and form, he remains a key contributor to the Hounds’ ambitions in 2025.