• Lowe returns to Magpies starting XV for shield defence

Lowe returns to Magpies starting XV for shield defence

Wind the clock back to the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's successful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago in Dunedin on October 4.


For Magpies fans it wasn't a pretty sight to see winger Jonah Lowe leaving the field 71 minutes int the Bay's 28-9 victory after being on the receiving end of a dangerous tackle from Otago flanker Slade McDowall. He was obviously concussed and almost immediately your's truly had texts on his phone suggesting the in-form Lowe won't be available for tomorrow night's shield defence and sixth round Mitre 10 Cup Championship clash against Northland at Napier's McLean Park.


But 2018 Maori All Black Lowe will start on the left wing after a rapid recovery.


"I had no symptoms straight after the game and I've got through this week pretty good," Lowe explained.


"Usually a player is withdrawn if they show any symptoms during the week leading up to their return game. They have to sit out and start all the recovery protocols again so I was rapt to tick all the boxes again," Lowe said.


While the 24-year-old Hurricane played in shield defences against Heartland teams Wairarapa Bush, Horowhenua Kapiti and Mid Canterbury in 2015 he has yet to play in a defence against a Mitre 10 Cup side on McLean Park. The excitement was easy to detect in the usually laid back Clive club player at training this week.


"Northland are top of the table and they will come out firing. This should be a close game and it could go either way," Lowe said.



The 2016 New Zealand under-20s rep who will be playing his 43rd first class game for the Magpies pointed out it was too hard to predict which Taniwha winger he will be marking.


"Northland change their wingers all the time. But they are all dangerous," Lowe said.


He suggested the numerous changes including 12 to the starting XV made it tough for the Magpies in last weekend's 46-10 loss to North Harbour in Albany.
Tomorrow night the Magpies will field an almost identical squad to that used in the win against Otago with the only change to the starting XV being All Black Sevens squad member Ollie Sapsford's replacing of injured Hurricane Danny Toala at second five-eighth.


Versatile outside back Neria Fomai has been rewarded for his strong display in Albany with a berth on the subs bench tomorrow night. Off contract at Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup levels at the end of this season, Lowe, said it was too early to predict where he will be next year.


"I just want to keep playing good rugby and everything will unfold. I will just focus on the rugby and what is best for me when it's time to make a decision but there is no other place I will be playing Mitre 10 Cup rugby but Hawke's Bay. All other options are open," Lowe explained.


He agreed the Covid-19 enforced lockdown earlier this year worked in his favour.


"With no contact I got my body right. My shoulder is really good and hopefully I can keep injury free," Lowe added referring to a shoulder injury which saw him miss most of the Magpies 2019 campaign.


Taking the make-up of this week's Magpies side into account they will have to start as favourites. However as Lowe acknowledged Northland will be tough.


Northland last held the shield in 1978 and with the likes of experienced loosies Tom Robinson and Kara Pryor, handy first five-eighth Dan Hawkins and talented outside backs Rene Ranger, Jone Macilai and Scott Gregory on the Taniwha roster it's easy to appreciate why at least 200 Taniwha fans are travelling south full of confidence during the next 24 hours.


The Magpies team for tomorrow's 7.05pm match:
Kurt Baker, Lolagi Visinia, Stacey Ili, Ollie Sapsford, Jonah Lowe, Lincoln McClutchie, Folau Fakatava, Devan Flanders, Brendon O'Connor, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Tom Parsons, Geoff Cridge, Joe Apikotoa, Ash Dixon (captain), Pouri Rakete-Stones. Substitutes: Forwards, Kianu Kereru-Symes (vice captain), Jason Long, Joel Hintz, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Gareth Evans. Backs, Connor McLeod, Caleb Makene, Neria Fomai.