Michael Lowry on why he passed to James Lowe despite being on hat-trick
Full-back Michael Lowry has said it’s not his personality to look for hat-tricks, after the Ireland debutant unselfishly passed to teammate James Lowe to score against Italy on the weekend, despite having bagged a brace already.
The 23-year-old capped a spellbinding first Test outing by claiming two of nine Irish tries in Sunday’s crushing 57-6 bonus-point success over Italy.
Much of the post-match focus was on the beleaguered Azzurri being forced to play more than an hour two players short due to a debatable regulation.
But that could not dampen the mood of outstanding Ulster player Lowry, who was left sporting a couple of facial wounds following an exceptional start in the green jersey.
An ultimately one-sided affair deviated from the norm inside 19 minutes when Italy substitute Hame Faiva was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Dan Sheehan with Ireland leading 7-3.
Faiva had only come on to the pitch 10 minutes earlier because of Gianmarco Lucchesi’s dislocated elbow and his dismissal left the Italians without a recognised hooker.
That caused uncontested scrums and, under World Rugby laws, also forced Kieran Crowley’s visitors to sacrifice an additional player, with the departure of unfortunate number eight Toa Halafihi effectively ending the game as a meaningful contest.
Despite some disjointed play, Ireland capitalised by running in nine tries across the afternoon, with braces for Lowry and James Lowe adding to Joey Carbery’s opener and scores from Jamison Gibson-Park, Peter O’Mahony, Ryan Baird and Kieran Treadwell.
Lowry could easily have claimed a hat-trick in front of a host of family and friends but unselfishly opted to tee up Lowe’s second try instead of making another dart for the line.
James Lowe goes over for his second of the game! ?? #IREvITA #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/jfUsetpgDw
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 27, 2022
“It’s not my personality to even think about hat-tricks,” said Lowry, who was speaking to the Irish Rugby Football Union.
“I thought I’d give that to Lowey to have an easier walk-in than I did.”
Lowry admits he will “never forget” his dream Ireland debut after lighting up Dublin with an electric display in the Guinness Six Nations.
“It’s everyone’s childhood dream to just play for Ireland and to get an opportunity playing Six Nations is unbelievable and a moment I’ll never forget and an emotional one,” he said.
“And to top it off to get on the scoresheet is even better.
“I tried to enjoy myself. We’ve worked hard and I suppose that’s the tough part, the start of the week and getting on page with everyone, and this is the fun part going and playing games.
“I just tried to compose myself and not let the emotion get to me. Everyone loves scoring a try and to get it on your debut is class.”
Lowry goes over and scores on his Ireland debut ? #IREvITA #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/1Oyw9WaCkK
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 27, 2022
Victory for Andy Farrell’s men moved them three points behind table-topping France as they bounced back from defeat in Paris a fortnight ago ahead of meetings with England and Scotland.
Stand-in captain O’Mahony believes Lowry has “seamlessly” transitioned to Test level and feels the generous assist for Lowe epitomises his character.
“He’s a top man,” said O’Mahony. “I’ve played against him and you see how brave and how tough he is, the impacts that he takes is just phenomenal.
“He just seems to bounce up off the ground every time. He’s come in the last few weeks and he’s fitted in seamlessly.
“He’s been incredibly diligent with his work and what he needs to do, and I thought that play summed him up, passing that ball there.
“Ten times out of 10 he’d have the gas to get over there but to pass the ball just to make it 1,000 per cent sums him up for all of us really.”
Pointless Italy eventually ended the game with 12 men due to Braam Steyn being sin-binned five minutes from time for deliberately knocking the ball into touch.
Comments on RugbyPass
I certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments