It's been three years in the making, but New Zealand-born winger James Lowe has finally impressively taken the international stage, scoring a try on his debut for Ireland. Rugby fans can book British lions 2021 tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Lowe, named to start on the left-wing, scored a first test
trial in the 81st minute of his team's 32-9 victory over Wales in the opening
match of the Autumn Nations Cup in Dublin.
The 28-year-old did little harm to his actions when he made
the move to test rugby, earning praise from various quarters and a 7/10 rating
in RugbyPass player ratings for his efforts at Aviva Stadium. His appearance in
the emerald green jersey culminates a 36-month journey he undertook to be
eligible for Ireland after moving to his adopted nation from New Zealand to
play for Leinster in 2017.
James
Lowe
Lowe has thrived since his transfer from the Chiefs to the
Irish club giants, scoring 33 attempts in 49 outings as he played a key role in
the success of PRO14 and Champions Cup in recent seasons. An equally fruitful
period in the Irish national team appears to be ahead for the former Maori All
Blacks representative, with fans and experts on Twitter voicing their thoughts
on Lowe's first foray into international rugby.
Some users were bold in their evaluations of Lowe’s
performance, even going so far as to suggest that the sprinter could be in line
for a British and Irish Lions call-up for their 2021 South Africa tour. A
friend of mine in Nelson told me that James Lowe has now scored in his Tasman
debut, the Chiefs, New Zealand M?ori, Leinster and Ireland. Maybe the Lions are
next?
Warren
Gatland
If Lions boss Warren Gatland selected him on next year's
squad, he would join an exclusive group of players who played both for and
against the Lions. Having appeared for the Maori All Blacks in their 32-10 loss
to the Lions three years ago, it would not be unattainable for Lowe to join
Riki Flutey, James Hook, Jared Payne and Elliot Daly in accomplishing such a
feat.
With the remainder of the Fall Nations Cup, a Six Nations
campaign, and the European club season still to play between now and that team,
there's plenty of time for Lowe to make his case for a Republic tour in eight
months. Elsewhere, those with ties to Kiwi, however, were disappointed by New
Zealand's profligacy in allowing the Nelson-born product to escape the clutches
of the All Blacks.
Some users even used Lowe's debut to criticize Ireland's
selection policy that allows the New Zealander to play for the country but
prevents French star Simon Zebo from adding to his 35 international matches.
Others were simply happy to see Lowe in an Irish jersey for
the first time and were excited about what the future held for the prolific
shot scorer. Lowe's next chance to play for Ireland will come next Saturday
when Andy Farrell's team travels to London to face England at Twickenham in the
second round of the Fall Nations Cup.
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