Boston, MA – March 9, 2021 – The New England Free Jacks today announced the signing of Wian Conradie to the playing roster for the 2021 Major league Rugby Season. An experienced international loose forward having earned 19 caps with Namibia, Conradie joins the Free Jacks from the Doncaster Knights in the RFU Championship. Conradie was set to represent the Dallas Jackals in the 2021 MLR season.
“When I received the call to join New England Free Jacks, there was no doubt that I wouldn’t take the offer,” said Wian. “Its truly an honor to be part of such a professional and exciting club, I am really looking forward to working with Coach Ryan Martin, and the rest of the team!”
Conradie is an explosive and versatile ball carrying forward capable across the back row. A dominant openside flanker, Conradie made his test debut for his home nation of Namibia at the age of 20 in 2015 against Kenya at Windhoek on August 8, 2015. He was one of four under 21-year-old players selected for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Conradie was an integral member of the squad that helped Namibia qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan by winning the African Cup.
With 19 caps to his name, Conradie has run out on the international level at two World Cups, most recently in Japan, starting against Italy during the 2019 world cup campaign. Following the 2019 World Cup, Conradie joined the Doncaster Knights in the RFU Championship for the 2019 and 2020 season.
“Waan ‘the phenom’ Conradie comes to New England with a feared reputation around his defensive style and breakdown prowess,” commented Ryan Martin, Free Jacks Head Coach. “Wian is a proud Namibian national having represented his country at the recent World Cup. He will bring a real intensity to the much-vaunted forward pack the Free Jack’s have assembled. Wian has the mentality of a hardened forward but the skill set of a back so look to see offloads galore and linebreaks when the Phenom is involved.”
The 6’1, 230lbs loose forward was born in Windhoek, Namibia. Conradie attended Windhoek High School where he played No.8 for one of the best teams in Namibia. Conradie represented the Namibia in 2012 in the u18 Craven Week in South Africa as well as in the U19 Confederation of African Rugby tournament. In 2013, Conradie helped his team qualify for the Junior World Cup in South Africa and went on to represent the U20 squad at the World Rugby Trophy in Chile.
Conradie attended the University of Johannesburg in, South Africa from 2014-2019 earning a Bachelor’s Degree in B-tech Quantity Surveying.
