More Force shuffling to Melbun …
Three signings bolster Melbourne Rebels’ playmaking ranks
WAYNE SMITH
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019
The mainstay of the Western Force’s Global Rapid Rugby and National Rugby Championship sides, five-eighth Andrew Deegan, has signed for Melbourne Rebels for next season.
The 24-year-old from Sydney is one of three prize signings, with former Force No 9 Ryan Louwrens returning from the Kintetsu Liners in Japan to once again join forces with Rebels coach Dave Wessels — his previous coach in Perth — while James Tuttle, who was let go by the Reds at the end of this season after rupturing his achilles tendon late in 2018, will provide tough competition for him for the halfback role.
Wessels is a favourite son in Perth where he performed wonders for the Force as coach of their Super Rugby side in their final year, 2017, but he might find himself a little less popular after signing Deegan, who has been the star of Andrew Forrest’s GRR team. Still, the former Australian schoolboys and Australian under-20 five-eighth looks a born playmaker and was even discussed as a possible inclusion in the Wallabies squad this season.
… Tuttle looked to be settling in for a long stint at the Reds, battling with Moses Sorovi for the No 9 jersey, before suffering the achilles injury just before the NRC final against the Fijian Drua. In his absence, Tate McDermott stormed through to grab the Queensland position, while Sorovi now is battling with new Samoan World Cup halfback Scott Malolua.
… Louwrens, who played 19 games for the Force in Super Rugby, was one of the players most affected by their culling. The South African-born halfback was squeezed out by Ruru in the stampede to the Melbourne Rebels and was forced to head for Japan. Now, at the age of 28, he will be looking to make up for lost time in Victoria.