Rugby star who was banned from the sport for taking steroids as a teenager turns heads with his VERY ripped biceps as he makes a comeback
- Ryan Louwrens made his debut with the Melbourne Rebels last Friday
- Photo of the rugby star’s ripped physique had fans talking on social media
- The 28-year-old was suspended for two years over steroid use when he was 18
Rugby star Ryan Lourwrens’ incredibly buff physique has captured the attention of fans.
The 28-year-old from Johannesburg in South Africa started for his new team the Melbourne Rebels at home against the New South Wales Waratahs on Friday, as his side won 24-10.
A photo of Lourwrens training with the Rebels in the week following the game went viral as it showed off the scrumhalf’s bulging biceps.
Lourwrens last played professional rugby three years ago – and in 2009, he was suspended for two years after testing positive for steroids as a teenager.
Ryan Lourwrens has made his debut as the Melbourne Rebels’ new scrum-half, but it’s his buff physique that has captured the attention of fans
Fans were quick to point out Louwrens’ impressive physique on the field as the team trained for their upcoming match against the Sharks
‘That vein is the size of my arm,’ one person tweeted in response to the Rebels posting a photo of Lourwrens on social media.
‘He needs to lower his body fat,’ Rugby World Magazine’s Paul Williams said.
Speaking to the Fox Rugby Podcast, the Rebels’ Andrew Kellaway said Ryan was ‘almost like another forward, the size of him’.
The father-of-two was only 18 when he was handed a two-year suspension by the South African Rugby Union’s disciplinary tribunal in 2009 after testing positive for steroids.
Lourwrens addressed the incident in a 2013 interview, saying he was ‘young and stupid’ at the time.
‘I wouldn’t say I was unaware. I was basically uninformed about the substance. It was pretty stupid and I had two years where I couldn’t play rugby at any level,’ he said.
Last week’s Super Rugby clash (left) against the NSW Waratahs marked Lourwrens’ comeback after three years, having previously played for Perth’s Western Force (right)
‘I have learnt from my mistakes and I’ve moved on.’
Louwrens will replace Fiji international Frank Lomani in the No.9 jersey as coach Dave Wessels searches for a permanent replacement for Wallabies veteran Will Genia, now playing in Japan.
Partnering Matt Toomua, who has been cleared after a head knock, Louwrens is one of three changes to the Melbourne starting side who were desperate to crack an elusive win against their ‘bogey’ team.
Former Western Force halfback Louwrens was playing in Japan prior to the Rebels and Wessels likes the physicality he will bring to the role.
‘Ryan made an impression when he came in at the back end of that game in Canberra so he gets an opportunity,’ Wessels said on Wednesday.
‘He’s a hell of a physical, confrontational No.9 and I think he’s one of those players who does more through actions than words.
‘He’s incredibly fit, fast and has got a good pass on him.’
Louwrens and his girlfriend Kharmen in an Instagram photo. The pair share two children