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

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.”