Doping ban behind Force Scrum-Half

Western Force have given scrum-half Ryan Louwrens a second chance at a professional rugby career after he was banned for two years in South Africa for taking anabolic steroids as a teenager.

Scrum-half Louwrens, 22, who plays for Cottesloe, and 19-year-old UWA centre-back Luke Burton, who represented Australia at this year's Junior World Championships, have come through the Force academy and signed one-year extended squad contracts.

Johannesburg-born Louwrens, a former pupil of Churchlands High School, joined the academy in 2008 but returned to South Africa a year later to finish his schooling. He represented Valke in the Craven Week schoolboys tournament and the Currie Cup for under-19s before being sanctioned. He returned to the academy in 2011 and represented the Force A side for the last two seasons.

A survey found that one in six rugby players at some of South Africa's top schools tested positive for various steroids. Louwrens, who was exposed to the drug by another player, said the pressure to succeed was enormous.

“I was 18 and uninformed, young and stupid,” he said.

“I wouldn't say I didn't know about it. I was basically ignorant of the substance. It was pretty stupid and I couldn't play rugby at any level for two years.

“For two years I was stressed and hoped and prayed that I would get the chance again. I never thought it would come to this. Now it's happened, it's unreal.

“I learned from my mistakes and moved on. I am so grateful to the power for this opportunity.”

Burton, a former student of Hale, turned down the offer from the Melbourne Rebels.

He played for WA's under-15, under-16, under-17 and schoolboy sides before joining the Junior Wallabies. He played all five games in this year's tournament in France, scoring two tries.

“I’m really excited, it’s a great feeling and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Burton said.

“Being born and raised in WA, it has always been my goal and desire to play for the Force.”

Six local players have been recruited for 2014: Louwrens and Burton join support player Kieran Longbottom and defenders Kyle Godwin, Dane Haylett-Petty and Zack Holmes.

Foley was delighted to have a record number of homegrown players in his squad.

“We are a WA team and it is important that we recognise the quality of local talent,” Foley said.

“Luke and Ryan have earned their chance through consistent performances in local competition.”