Western Force front-rower Wilton Rebolo made history for rugby in Brazil, as he has become the first Brazilian rugby player to play for a elite-level professional club in the ‘top 4 leagues’. Rebolo made his debut for the Super Rugby side last weekend against the Chiefs.
Despite coming away from the match on the losing side of a 43-19 score-line, Rebolo’s debut for the Western Force is a significant milestone for rugby’s global reach. The 27-year-old has truly broken into unchartered territory for Brazilian rugby players, becoming the first countrymen to play for in of the ‘top four’ elite leagues (Gallagher Premiership, Top 14, United Rugby Championship, Super Rugby Pacific).
A versatile front rower who has previously played at prop or hooker, Rebolo signed for the Force in November 2022, and has been penitently waiting for this breakthrough. His accomplishment was celebrated across social media, as Rebolo wore the number one jersey from the off.
Due to the injury of Force prop Santiago Medrano, Rebolo packed down in the front row for 63 minutes against the Hamilton side. Rebolo signed for the Force from United Rugby New York in the MLR, and he has established himself on an international level, having made 33 caps for the Brazilian national side. After signing with the Force, Rebolo spoke with the official club website;
“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.”
“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.