Force sign first Brazilian in Super Rugby

The Western Force has announced the long-term signing of Brazilian prop Wilton Rebolo ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The 27-year-old, who can play tight head prop and hooker, has 30 Test Caps for Brazil and joins the Force from Major League Rugby side United Rugby New York.

He played for the Brazil National Team, the Tupis, in 33 matches, 25 as a starter in the front row at loosehead prop, tighthead prop, and hooker.

Rebolo is eager to commence training with the Force and states, he is thrilled to be soon learning from some of the best coaches in the world.

"It has always been my dream to play in Super Rugby; my teammates from Brazil all have this dream. The Force is a great team, and I feel lucky to have been given this opportunity," Rebolo claimed.

"I am excited to play and will bring a lot of enthusiasm. I am a big enforcer at scrum time and can't wait to learn from Simon, especially in strategic game play."

"I think I will gain a lot of experience at the Force; this will progress my level within the Brazilian team and significantly increase the quality of my game." 

Initially signed with New York until 2024, Rebolo was adamant about not allowing this opportunity to slip away, breaking his contract to come play in the West.

"When I told my old club, New York, that I was offered to play in Australia, they said, wow, don't wait, this is a great opportunity, and I am so excited; I love Australia, and I already know I will love it in Perth," added Rebolo.

Well into pre-season, head coach Simon Cron is eager to have Rebolo out on the field pushing the wider squad in all facets of training.

“Wilton is fast, explosive and brings a great deal of size to the squad. He is defensively strong and in attack he has really good feet. The biggest thing for us is to capitalise on his strengths and help him improve in the areas of set piece as he starts to push several players in the squad for a starting spot,” Cron attested.

“One of the things we need in our squad is what we would call ‘street fighters’, so we need guys that are going into contact drills hard and continuously hit hard, he is obviously one of those players.”

Rebolo arrived in Perth over the weekend and begun pre-season on Monday.