Former Tasman Mako player gets Lions call up
From his Tasman beginnings James Lowe has become an international rugby star. Photo: Getty Images.
James Lowe has capped another stand out season for Ireland in the Six Nations by being named in the 38-man British and Irish Lions rugby squad to tour Australia.
He is one of 12 players from powerful Leinster club to be confirmed at a glitzy announcement in London today.
What makes the winger’s first Lions selection even more worthy is he turns 33 in July.
James debuted for the Tasman Mako in 2012 and then spent four seasons with the Chiefs.
After being unlucky not to make the All Blacks, the Nelson College product moved to Dublin in 2017 and became an instant success for Leinster.
Since becoming eligible for Ireland, James has played 40 tests and scored 17 tries.
Fellow Irish-Kiwi, halfback Jamison Gibson-Park has also been rewarded by the selectors for the first time. He is five months older than James, while 35-year-old midfield back Bundee Aki rounds out the veteran Kiwi contingent.
Bundee played one test for the Lions during the 2021 tour.
After a warm-up game against Argentina in Dublin next month, the Lions will embark on a nine-match tour of Australia.
A feature will be a match against a New Zealand and Australia combined side in Adelaide on July 12.