Back 
1
James Lowe wants to make a statement against 'scary' Springboks
By PA
James Lowe expects Ireland to receive a true evaluation of their Rugby World Cup credentials during Saturday evening’s crunch clash with defending champions South Africa.
ADVERTISEMENT
Andy Farrell’s side have topped the world rankings for more than a year and registered 15 consecutive Test wins ahead of a pivotal Pool B showdown in Paris.
The Six Nations champions can secure a quarter-final spot with victory over the Springboks at a sold-out Stade de France.
Leinster wing Lowe is intent on delivering a statement performance following routine bonus-point victories over Romania and Tonga.
“Incrementally, I guess our games have gotten harder,” he said.
“After the first two Test matches, this week has been a whole new beast. It’s really where we’re going to find out where we are at.
“We think we are in a good place if we put ourselves on the front foot and hopefully on Saturday the performance will show that.
“To really put a statement on this competition is hopefully what we’re going to get and that will be reflected by the performance.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Win or lose, if we put out a performance that we’re seriously proud of and can build on again, I don’t see why when it comes to the knockout matches we can’t keep improving.”
South Africa have a made a statement of intent by becoming the first nation to name seven forwards on the bench for a World Cup match.
Lowe insists the formidable Springboks are far more than just a physical threat and have “some freaks” in a dangerous backline.
The New Zealand-born player starts on Ireland’s left flank for the third match in a row and is wary of opposition wide men Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Obviously (they have some) very, very big men, but if you look at the backline, it’s scary enough,” said 31-year-old Lowe.
“You just look at the two wingers there. They are very similar players, great on their feet, great reads on D (defence), seriously brave for their size.
“I know we can expect them to kick the ball a lot, but ball in hand they have serious, serious individual threats.
“They have proven even in the first few games how good they are with ball in hand. We all know it. Yes they are physical but they have also got some freaks in the backline.”
Latest Comments
Wow, even suggesting that SA and Ireland will lead new world order is arrogant beyond, and disrespectful to say the least. The Boks know only to well how tough it is to just win by one point, and will never underestimate any side. Again, the ABs remain the benchmark, and once they understand the greater challenge in the north, will adapt. Razor will make sure. The pure athleticism of the NZ players, once they find they need a tough tight forwards, will again take them to near the top. The days of dominating like they did for decades is gone, but they will stay near the top. Even with one of their weaker sides they still made the final played away in NH. That should say enough.
Go to commentsDear Ben, since you are apparently lacking in any kind of understanding of the game, and are in denial to boot, I will gladly rank the 3 worst games of the season from the All Blacks for you. Ill try to be a little less whinging and a bit more objective. I think the reality is that the ABs and (to a lesser extend the Springboks) will never again dominate the game to the extent they have in the past. Close to 30 years of professionalism has closed the gap, and that is as it should be and is great for the game. There is very little to choose between the top four in world Rugby. It is often down to the day. The “luck” that is inevitably part of winning a knock out tourmament where no one side fully dominates accompanied the Boks this time. Next time it could be the French or Irish and could quite as easily have been either of them this time. I understand that on your tiny Island Nation there is little you posess that is culturally significant, other than the AB’s, and so this is very dear to you. Here’s hoping its France next time because if its the ABs your triumphalist gloating would be utterly insuffrable.
Go to comments