LEINSTER FANS TUNING in to watch the Chiefs in Super Rugby this season will have been growing more excited by the week about the signing of James Lowe.
While the 24-year-old Kiwi left wing hasn’t always been perfect, he has consistently shown flashes of his quality with ball in hand, as well as through his left-footed kicking game.
Lowe is a player whose intent is always to create something, with his footwork, acceleration, power in contact and offloading ability often making him a nightmare to defend against.
While Leinster already have plenty of back three options in their squad, Lowe looks like being an excellent addition.
His reputation as a highly positive presence off the pitch means he is sure to add to Leinster’s culture, while his fight to deal with rheumatoid arthritis - it left him bedridden as a teen and he still undergoes weekly treatment – demonstrates his strength of will.
On the pitch, his six tries in eight games have impressed, as have his stats for 17 offloads, 18 clean linebreaks and 29 defenders beaten.
Leinster captain Isa Nacewa is excited about Lowe’s arrival at the province next season on a three-year deal, with Lowe set to arrive in October or early November after playing for Tasman in the Mitre 10 Cup.
“I’ve watched him for the last two years, while I was at the Blues before I came back here,” said Nacewa before the Guinness Pro12 awards last weekend.
“He is one of the best left wingers in the world, he hands-down is. He brings in competition and it boosts Leinster. It was a no-brainer in trying to get him here.”
Nacewa said that although he doesn’t know Lowe personally, he “had conversations” when it became apparent that the Chiefs wing might be a possible signing.
“James is a class player,” said Nacewa. “His try-scoring record in Super Rugby alone is right up there. He just hasn’t been capped by the All Blacks yet. He is a phenomenal player.”
New Zealander Wayne Pivac – head coach of the Scarlets, who Leinster face in the Pro12 semi-finals in two weekends’ time – is aware of the quality Lowe will bring into the championship.
Pivac pointed to former Crusaders wing/fullback Johnny McNicholl as an example of how the Scarlets have benefited from dipping into Super Rugby, with Kiwi native McNicholl a possible future Wales international.
Lowe will also be able to serve a three-year residency term in order to qualify to play for Ireland, with changes in that regulation due to change only on 31 December, 2020.
And it is clear that Lowe has the playing potential to feature for Ireland in the future.
“He has done very well in New Zealand rugby and, for whatever reason, he probably thinks he’s not going to be an All Black,” said Pivac of Lowe.
“There are a lot of good players ahead of him. When do you make the move? If you are young enough under the current rules to play three seasons and play international rugby potentially up here.
“Jared Payne is a classic example, isn’t he? The New Zealanders see guys like that playing international rugby and think, ‘Well, if I can’t be an All Black, the next best thing is playing for another nation.’
“[Lowe] is a very good player, I like him. He’s a strong runner. He’s an all-round footballer, a lot of skill.
“I think he will do well, unfortunately!”
- This article was updated at 7.50am to reflect World Rugby’s confirmation that the residency regulation will change only on 31 December, 2020.
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