Namibian loose forward Wian Conradie has played in Major League Rugby since 2021. Initially signed by the Dallas Jackals, he signed with the New England Free Jacks following the Jackals’ deferral to 2022, and has represented the Free Jacks for his entire MLR career.

He signed with Gloucester in the English Premiership for their 2021/22 season, but returned to the Free Jacks part way through the 2022 MLR season. He started 16 games for the Free Jacks during their 2023 campaign, scoring 7 tries and gaining 1,262m with ball in hand (7th in MLR) as well as completing 234 tackles (3rd in MLR)in a season where he was named MLR Forward of the Year, as well as lifting the shield with the Free Jacks following a dramatic 24-25 victory over the San Diego Legion in Chicago.

Conradie returned for the Free Jacks‘ title defence, but only managed 7 further appearances before injury cut his season short. To date, Conradie has made 44 starts in 47 games for New England, scoring 15 tries and carrying for over 3000m gained, not to mention his nearly 700 completed tackles. On October 22nd, 2024, the New England Free Jacks announced the return of Wian Conradie for their 2025 MLR campaign. Conradie matches his career high in both starts and appearances in 2025, starting all 16 of his appearances and scoring 5 tries to take his career total to 20. Conradie recorded his 3rd 200+ tackle campaign, finishing 8th League-wide with 210 tackles completed and recording over 550m in possession, contributing significantly to the Free Jacks finishing atop the Eastern Conference, and completing the Threepeat for their (and Conradie’s) 3rd straight MLR Shield with Conradie starting all 3 playoff games in 2025. Conradie was named to the 2025 All-MLR 1st XV for his performance.

Achievements

• 2025 All-MLR First XV Selection
• 2025 MLR Champion: New England Free Jacks
• 8th in MLR Tackling: 2025 (210)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 15
• MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 14
• 2024 MLR Champion: New England Free Jacks
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 6
• 2023 MLR Forward of the Year
• 2023 MLR Champion New England Free Jacks
• 2023 Free Jacks Fan’s Player of the Year
• 3rd in MLR Tackling: 2023 (234)
• 7th in MLR Meters Gained: 2023 (1,262m)
• 2021 Free Jacks Player’s Player of the Year
• 3rd in MLR Tackling: 2021 (216)