Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'I thought I was the man': Why Lowe wouldn't have picked himself for ABs

(Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

It wasn’t that long that ago that Ireland star James Lowe was one of the most exciting players in New Zealand rugby, and appeared to be on the cusp of an All Blacks callup.

ADVERTISEMENT

After starring with the Chiefs in Super Rugby and the Maori All Blacks, Lowe had well and truly put his hand up for national selection but missed out time and time again.

But New Zealand’s loss was Ireland’s gain, as the rising star put pen to paper with European powerhouse Leinster in March 2017.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

Lowe later became eligible to play for Ireland through rugby’s residency rule, and made a try-scoring debut against Wales in November 2020.

The 30-year-old has gone on to shine in the coveted green jersey during more than a dozen appearances for the world’s top ranked side.

Lowe played a key role in Ireland’s famous win over the All Blacks in Dublin last year – a result which clearly meant more to the winger – before backing that up with a series win earlier this year.

While he didn’t score any tries, Lowe was part of the Ireland team who created history in New Zealand earlier this year, as they beat the All Blacks in a series for the first time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hindsight is a funny thing, and Lowe’s brilliant is clear for all to see, but the winger has explained why he wouldn’t have picked himself for the All Blacks when he was in New Zealand either.

“I wouldn’t say I got into a bad crowd or anything. I was just frustrated more than anything,” Lowe told Jim Hamilton on Rugby Roots.

“I was frustrated that I hadn’t quite been given the opportunity that I felt I deserved but in reflection of that, it’s probably a bit of my own doing.

“I was still very young and naïve. I probably wasn’t doing the things that coaches wanted me to see.

ADVERTISEMENT

“To me I was still performing but I was getting there, whether that was through luck or right opportunities at the right time.

“I could see why I wouldn’t pick me either. Especially when I was in my early 20s, I thought I was the man.

I was very, very confident and I’m still a very confident person, but now I can take it on the chin and understand when I need to be put back into line.

“I’ve always had an air of confidence and that probably worked against me in a lot of ways. I probably wasn’t the team player that I consider myself that I probably am now.

“As a winger you’re expected to finish and score tries, I was doing that, but I wanted to see my own name in headlights and things like that. I can see why you wouldn’t pick me because of those reasons.

“I came over here and I’ve absolutely loved it… it was a bit of growing pains more than anything turning from a boy into a man.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith' Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'
Search