This summer, and Chiefs star will decamp to Ireland to play his club rugby.
In recent years, we have had Bundee Aki and Craig Clarke. James Lowe is the latest and his arrival will give Leinster a genuine attacking star for the next three years.
https://youtu.be/QVXYuWC7QOI
The 24-year-old has scored 14 tries in 37 Super Rugby games and will no doubt add to that in the upcoming season. Once that wraps up, and with some R&R time, he will set off for Dublin and a new life with Leinster.
In an interview with Newshub, Lowe listed the three main motivators for making the switch – new challenge, better pay, lengthy queue for New Zealand back three possibilities.
“I guess there was a [pay] gap, yeah,” he said.
Having only appeared for the Maori All Blacks, Lowe will be eligible to play for Ireland once he satisfies World Rugby’s three-year residency rule. Even if that rule changes to five years, Lowe will have arrived in time to qualify for Ireland by 2020.
The prospect has excited many rugby fans on these shores and European pundits.
James Lowe looks like a great signing for @leinsterrugby is he eligible to qualify for @IrishRugby?
— Conor Barron (@Cbarron15) March 6, 2017
James Lowe to Leinster is a great signing
— John O'Donovan (@j_goddy) March 6, 2017
Chiefs wing @jameslowenz joining Leinster at the end of the year. Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
— James McOnie (@JamesMcOnie) March 6, 2017
James Lowe is a tremendous signing for Leinster
All Black quality
Available all season👌
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) March 6, 2017
If you've never seen James Lowe play, you only need to glance at the reaction in NZ to his departure to get an idea of how highly he's rated
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) March 6, 2017
During that Newshub interview, Lowe was asked about playing for Ireland if and when he becomes qualified. His reply is exactly what Leinster fans would want to hear:
“That’s not at the forefront [of my mind].
“I haven’t even played for Leinster yet, so one step at a time.”
Whereas Bundee Aki declared his intentions to play for Ireland once his move to Connacht was announced, Lowe is focusing on doing a job for his [soon-to-be] new employers first.
One step at a time.
