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Ryan Louwrens and Beaudein Waaka will not be in Major League Rugby next season. The Austin scrumhalf and New England flyhalf were arguably the best at their positions during the 2022 campaign but have now signed contracts with overseas clubs.
Louwrens will return to Super Rugby after agreeing a two-year deal with the Melbourne Rebels. The 31-year-old played for the Rebels in 2020 and previously lined up for Western Force. He played 14 games for Austin in his first MLR season including 12 starts with three tries scored.
Waaka, 28, was a near-unanimous choice for Most Valuable Player in MLR in 2022. He made a full-time switch to flyhalf and finished second in points scored. Having previously played professionally in Australia and his home of New Zealand, Waaka now makes the move to Japan League One with Kobelco Steelers. The length of his contract has not been disclosed.
