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NZ born James Lowe: 'I don't think you would be able to script that'

By PA
Bundee Aki and James Lowe. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Native New Zealander James Lowe admits he never envisaged returning for a shot at tour success over the All Blacks when he left his homeland for Ireland.

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Winger Lowe, who previously represented the Maori All Blacks, switched international allegiance under residency rules in 2020, three years after joining Leinster from Hamilton-based club the Chiefs.

The 30-year-old is part of an Irish squad on the verge of making history against the Kiwis going into Saturday’s decisive Test in Wellington.

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Andy Farrell’s side will seek to secure a landmark tour triumph at Sky Stadium, having levelled the series at 1-1 thanks to a first win over the hosts on New Zealand soil last weekend.

Lowe, who was among the try scorers when the All Blacks were defeated 29-20 in Dublin last autumn, has been selected to start all three Tests and is eager to once again “knock over” the All Blacks.

“I don’t think you would be able to script that, for sure,” Lowe said of his career path.

“It was always a dream to play international rugby. To be given the opportunity in Ireland has been amazing and then to tour in New Zealand with the potential of a game-three decider, it’s an amazing opportunity and something that we’ll probably never get again.

“You don’t get to come to New Zealand very often, you don’t get to knock over New Zealand very often either, so if we can go into the summer having beaten New Zealand twice in a row then that’s huge.

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“If you could tell us that at the start of the tour, we would have bitten your hand off for it.

“Obviously we created a bit of history last week but there’s also that feeling that the job’s not done so hopefully tomorrow we can put out a performance we’re proud of and walk off heads held high.”

Ireland were thumped 42-19 in the Auckland opener but bounced back to deservedly triumph 23-12 in Dunedin.

Despite the milestone result, head coach Farrell believes his side have plenty of room for improvement going into the finale.

Lowe, who is one of four New Zealand-born players in the Irish ranks alongside Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and Joey Carbery, echoed that assessment.

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“He’s hit the nail on the head,” he said of Farrell’s comments. “What needs to improve? Everything really – our shape in attack, our speed to get set, our defence, our kicking game needs to be on the money again.

“We need to put them under as much pressure as we can. Kick pressure, high ball, ruck, back entry into the ruck, they’re all the things that go a long way to winning a rugby game.

“It’s about playing in the right areas of the field. They probably controlled the first Test, we probably had the upper hand in the second, and that will be a huge decider.

“It’s been a long season – that’s never an excuse – but the boys are playing their best rugby when needed and that’s what you need when it comes to international rugby.

“Tomorrow’s going to be hugely exciting and I can’t wait for it.”

Nelson-born Lowe is hoping to cap a whirlwind few months which included his wedding in Las Vegas.

His wife, Arnica, flew over from Ireland earlier this week and the pair plan to remain in New Zealand after Saturday’s match to reunite with relatives and celebrate their marriage.

“It’s awesome to be home, to reconnect with family,” he said.

“We eloped in Vegas a few months ago and we’re having a dinner down in Nelson; we’ve hired out an Airbnb and we’re really looking forward to it.

“Hopefully the old ‘Sunshine Capital’ can turn it on for us and I can show them (wife’s family) around Nelson.”

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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