Meet the ripped Rebels halfback in contention for a maiden Wallabies call-up
Melbourne halfback Ryan Louwrens has caught the eye of Wallabies officials after his blistering start to the Super Rugby season – thanks in part to Australian legend Will Genia.
Signed to the Rebels for 2020, Louwrens has already been sought out about his plans beyond the season, with the Wallabies No.9 jumper up for grabs.
The 28-year-old Louwrens was born in South Africa but moved with his family to Australia in his teens.
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If he does break through to the national squad, some of the credit will go to his childhood hero Genia, who he worked alongside at Japanese club Kintetsu Liners last season.
“I learned a lot off (Genia) in Japan – we ended up sharing the match time,” Louwrens said.
“He was very good in terms of helping all the No.9s and he’s been there and done that so he’s great to have around.
“He told me to rip in at the Rebels and back myself.”
David Havili's scintillating early Super Rugby form continued on Friday as he captained the @crusadersrugby to a convincing 33-13 victory over the Highlanders. #SuperRugby https://t.co/taUFPFmaRr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 22, 2020
Incoming test coach Dave Rennie has spoken of his desire to pick from the ranks of Super Rugby, putting Louwrens in a battle with the Brumbies’ Joe Powell, Waratah Jake Gordon and Reds’ youngster Tate McDermott.
Louwrens was one of the Rebels’ best in their breakthrough win over the Waratahs last round and is looking to back that up against the Sharks in Ballarat on Saturday afternoon.
He will have to do it without injured Wallabies five-eighth Matt Toomua (groin), with Andrew Deegan stepping in for his first start at 10.
“I was happy with my first start last round and hopefully I can continue to build on that and progress and have a good game,” Louwrens told AAP.
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“Andrew has come in seamlessly; he’s a very good player and his communication is very good. He’s a similar player to Matt Toomua, he’s got a lot of flair and controls the game well.”
He said the confidence gained playing in Japan has been key to his return to form after his career stalled at the Western Force following ACL ruptures in 2014 and 2017.
“I think it’s staying injury-free,” Louwrens said. “I had some bad injuries while I was at the Force and it was about finding my confidence again.
“I found that in Japan, getting my running game back to where I wanted it to be.”
The Rebels beat the Durban-based Sharks on their last visit to Melbourne in 2018, their only success in seven matches.
– AAP
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A potential 5th star for Leinster and redemption adter losing 2 tight finals against La Rochelle against Toulouse and the chance for Jacques Nienaber to have some success without Rassie Erasmus running the show.
2 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and welcome back 😁 Vulavalu does look better this year, and about time. I suspect Schmidt will knock the hubris out of him. That one handed put down was so embarrassing. Mind you, I had thought Kiss would deal with that. Leaving aside the different games and skills, in NRL he had a very good (but no bullshit) type of coach in Bellamy, something he hasn't had in Union until this year. Bellamy would have roasted him unmercifully for an unprofessional put down.
21 Go to commentsYou’d think the first step would be taking responsibility for the stupid sh*t you did and to stop blaming other people. Does he seriously think that people believe him when he says it just magically got into his system without him knowing anything about it? You’re gonna notice if you’re on the juice, bruh.
2 Go to commentsI watch the Reds now, and many of their players, and think back to watching London Irish in their last two years under Michael Kiss. I recall Nick Phipps looking a very competent scrumhalf, Rob Simmons a lynch pin in the lineouts. Both men writen off by many on the rugby sites. There is no question in my mind that Kiss has a very different touch to any coach the Reds have had in years. It will take time, but this team could develop into a very good team, hard to beat by any one down here in the SH. You highlight two players especially, Nick. Vunivalu and Paisami are thriving this year, especially the latter. And so many others. The now heavier Fraser McReight, his great mate Harry Wilson, and the “Fardy” man, Liam Wright. That is only three, ut in reality every player is acroos the whole squad is the better for the new regime.
21 Go to commentsRecord Score Downloading…………..
1 Go to commentsWonderful insightful interview with Crusader Johnny McNicoll. He was exceptional in the wins over the Chiefs and Rebels and I am sure he will get a contract again for 2025. He was an excitement machine for Canterbury and the Crusaders in 2011-16 and he still is. He has added to the attack particularly. Had a fine career with Wales in the intervening years.
1 Go to commentsAmazing what decent coaching can do! I always felt Folau never improved much as a player and never had a great coach using his talents. Suli seems different at qld this year.
21 Go to commentsI’m sick to death of waiting 3 years for league players to become half decent. It cripples Australian rugby in the meantime. The Reds actually looked half competent without Vunivalu not starting last week. He’s just a liability of errors. Paisami is looking better than he has in previous years but I’d have Kerevi back in a flash. A kiwi wont tho …...
21 Go to commentsExcellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
2 Go to commentsMorning, John. Do you think that it may be a good idea to rest both teams from the Madrid comp leading in to the Olympics
2 Go to comments« I am preparing myself for much more, something much bigger. I’m focussing on the next cycle, » You don’t say…
2 Go to commentsGeez plenty of time to come right before test season starts. Dont panic mr Mannering!!!!!
1 Go to commentsGreat read Nick. The Reds really have been great to watch this year, and the improvement of not only the players you mention, but the squad in general has been obvious. The Reds 10/12 play making axis is a nice counterpoint to the 10/15 partnership at the Brumbies and Rebels. If Schmidt was to pick say, Lolesio, Paisami and Wright / Kellaway, would this be too many play makers? I notice in a lot of those clips Tim Ryan playing across the field in support of Vunivalu. Is this a feature of Kiss’s structure?
21 Go to commentsSo sad, god rest him. Too young to be gone. RIP
2 Go to commentsRIP big man 🙏
2 Go to commentsThe GB coach. “Just because we don’t get together as much as other teams we don’t use that as an excuse for performances when we don’t hit the mark”. Why mention it at all then?
1 Go to commentsNo mention of the yellow card for Harlequins which really cost them.
4 Go to commentsThought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
21 Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
3 Go to commentsInstead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
4 Go to comments