Austin Gilgronis signed South-African Ryan Louwrens for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 30-year-old scrumhalf (31 in March) is 5’10” and 205 lbs.
Ryan was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He moved with his parents to Australia when he was 16, and attended Kempton Park High School before transferring to Churchlands Senior High School in Perth.
He played club rugby with Cottesloe in 2011, West Force A in 2012, and 2013 traveled with Western Force to player Tonga XV. In 2014 he signed an extended playing squad contract with Western Force and played in the preseason against Samoa XV and Pampas XV, as well as in the Pacific Rugby Cup.
In 2015 after recovering from a knee injury, he made his Super Rugby debut as a reserve against the Chiefs. He also played for the Perth Spirit in the 2015-16 season. He continued playing for the Force in 2016 and 2017 before signing with the Kintetsu Liners in the Japanese Top League for 2018. In 2020 he played for the Melbourne Rebels.
Austin Gilronis Comments
Louwrens has a lot to be excited about, “I’m looking forward to doing my part in getting the team to the finals this year and being a part of a winning team year over year, while also helping the younger guys grow, and then meeting new people and having a good time with my family here in America.”
This fall, Louwrens got a call from Sam Harris, who he knew from Harris’ coaching days in Japan with the Ricoh Rams. The two talked about the possibility of joining forces in Austin with the AGs, “Ryan is a bit of an undergrown talent, I’ve been keeping my eye on his career the last six or seven years and I’ve always wanted to have him on my team. I think he’s going to make a really strong push for the #9 jersey and has a real chance to take off in the league this year.”
This week, Louwrens arrived in Austin with his family and set off into Sports Performance testing while working behind the scenes to get his family settled in Austin, a priority for the newest AG. “I’m here to do a job and I’m fortunate that it’s to play rugby, but my main focus is helping my family get settled here in Austin and I’m looking forward to that over this holiday and beyond.”
Ryan Louwrens adds impressive depth to the AGs scrumhalf unit this season and looks to help the AGs lift a shield in 2022.
Welcome to the AG Family, Ryan Louwrens!
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