The Melbourne Rebels have added another player with international experience to their 2023 squad, announcing former Rebel, Ryan Louwrens, will be returning to AAMI Park.
Louwrens has committed to a new two-year deal with the Rebels, having recently played for the Austin Gilgronis in America’s Major League Rugby competition (2022), and Melbourne’s long-time partner, the Kintetsu Liners (2018- 2021).
Hailing from Johannesburg, Louwrens developed his game in Western Australia before making his Super Rugby debut for the Western Force against the Chiefs in 2015.
The scrumhalf played 24 games over four years with the Perth side, before joining forces with the Liners in 2019, gaining valuable overseas experience playing under current Rebels GM of Rugby, Nick Stiles, and alongside former Rebels Will Genia and Quade Cooper
In 2020, Louwrens returned to Australian shores signing with the Rebels, where his speed, strength, and work ethic immediately impressed his new teammates.
The thirty-one-year-old’s eye-catching form led to a Round 2 debut against the Brumbies in Canberra.
Despite COVID-19 halting the season, Louwrens would play nine matches for the Rebels, making eight starts, scoring one try.
Louwrens says he’s looking forward to re-joining the Rebels and representing one of his favourite cities in the world, alongside Nick Stiles and Kevin Foote.
“I’m very excited to be back with the Rebels,” said Louwrens.
“From the outside it looks like they have a great culture and one that has evolved throughout this season.
“Going back to the Rebels and playing in front of the Club’s fans was easy, especially having been coached by Nick Stiles in Japan and having worked with Kevin Foote during my last stint in Melbourne.
“I also do feel like there is some unfinished business as 2020 was a great start to the Super Rugby season beating the Lions and Highlanders, before COVID cancelled the season, so I’m hungry to come back and achieve more success.
“I’ve missed the competitiveness that Super Rugby brings out in you as a player, so I’m looking forward to the challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”
Melbourne Rebels GM of Rugby, Nick Stiles, said the Club was delighted to welcome back another fan favourite.
“We’re really happy to have a player of Ryan’s calibre and experience joining our Club for the next two seasons,” said Stiles.
“Not only will Ryan’s addition strengthen our scrum-half stocks alongside Moses Sorovi and James Tuttle, who’s with Australia A at the moment, but our Club will be bringing in another strong minded individual, with great character, a relentless work ethic and a selfless, team-first attitude, which is exactly what we want here at the Melbourne Rebels.”
