Jonah Lowe
{{short description|New Zealand rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Jonah Lowe
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Jonah Hunuhunu Lowe
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|05|09|df=y}}
| birth_place = Hastings, New Zealand
| height = {{convert|184|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|100|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| school = King's College
| university =
| relatives = Karl Lowe (brother)
| occupation =
| spouse =
| currentclub = Hawke's Bay, {{Rut|Highlanders}}
| allblackno =
| allblackid =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 2015–
| clubs1 = Hawke's Bay
| apps1 = 73
| points1 = 137
| years2 = 2018–2020
| clubs2 = Hurricanes
| apps2 = 4
| points2 = 0
| years3 = 2021–2022
| clubs3 = Chiefs
| apps3 = 18
| points3 = 35
| years4 = 2023–
| clubs4 = Highlanders
| apps4 = 20
| points4 = 40
| repyears1 = 2016
| repteam1 = New Zealand U20
| repcaps1 = 6
| reppoints1 = 20
| repyears2 = 2017
| repteam2 = New Zealand Barbarians
| repcaps2 = 1
| reppoints2 = 0
| repyears3 = 2018–
| repteam3 = Māori All Blacks
| repcaps3 = 5
| reppoints3 = 25
| clubupdate = 16 May 2025
| repupdate = 3 July 2021
}}
Jonah Lowe (born 9 May 1996) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a wing or centre for {{Rut|Hawke's Bay}} in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition{{cite web | url=https://www.sporty.co.nz/magpies/newsarticle/130396 | title=2023 Magpies squad release | website=Hawke's Bay Rugby Union | language=en | date=5 July 2023 | access-date=6 July 2023}} and for the {{Rut|Highlanders}} in Super Rugby.{{cite press release | url=https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/youth-and-experience-to-bolster-2023-squad/ | title=Youth and experience to bolster 2023 squad | publisher=Highlanders | date=23 June 2022 | accessdate=23 June 2022}}
Early career
Lowe was born and raised in Hastings, and is a younger brother of former Māori All Blacks, Hurricanes and Hawke's Bay loose forward Karl Lowe.
Lowe initially attended St. John's College in Hastings, before moving to Auckland where he went to King's College for his final two years of high school. While there, he turned out for the college's first XV. In 2013, he helped them reach the semi-finals of Auckland's 1A Rugby Competition and finished on top of the individual 1A try-scoring ladder. In 2014, he also played for {{rut|Auckland}} and the {{rut|Blues}} at under-18 level.{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/sevens-rugby-lowe-backs-bros-call-at-own-pace/QHMGR7GKDBBAKPL44R7ITG7P2E/ | title=Sevens Rugby: Lowe backs bro's call at own pace | publisher=Hawke's Bay Today | date = 20 February 2015 | access-date=14 November 2016}}{{cite press release | url=https://blues.rugby/blues-18-teams-face-chiefs/ | title=Blues Under 18 teams to face Chiefs | publisher=Blues| date=14 July 2014 | access-date=17 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112111608/https://www.blues.rugby/blues-18-teams-face-chiefs/ | archive-date=12 January 2021 | df=dmy-all}}
After graduating high school, Lowe headed back home to his native Hawke's Bay where he played for Clive Rugby & Sports Club in the province's club rugby competition. In February 2015, he was named in the first Under 20 team in the {{rut|Hurricanes}}' history for a game against their Blues counterparts.{{cite press release | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/first-hurricanes-under-20-side-named/ | title=First Hurricanes Under-20 side named | publisher=Hurricanes | date=18 February 2015 | access-date=17 January 2021}}
Senior career
In 2015, his first year out of school, Lowe was named in the {{rut|Hawke's Bay}} ITM Cup squad.{{cite press release | url=http://www.sportsground.co.nz/Article.asp?SiteID=20394&ArticleID=48637 | title=Magpies 2015 ITM Squad named | publisher=Hawke's Bay Rugby Union | date=25 July 2015 | access-date=17 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814021717/http://www.sportsground.co.nz/Article.asp?SiteID=20394&ArticleID=48637 | archive-date=14 August 2015 | df=dmy-all}} He made his Magpies debut against {{rut|Canterbury}} - in the 13 jersey - on 12 September 2015.{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/rugby-making-magpies-starting-line-up-big-step-up/UKNRZQ5QPBEVAXKBB5RDPT4BAY/ | title=Making Magpies starting line up big step up | publisher=Hawke's Bay Today | date=12 September 2015 | access-date=17 January 2021}} He played two more games that first season. Since then, he has cemented himself as a regular starter for the Magpies. Lowe's personal stats over the years have been excellent, including several tries and try assists each season.{{ cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/jonah-lowe-35532.html | title=Jonah Lowe Player Statistics | website=itsrugby.co.uk | language=en | access-date=17 January 2021}} During the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season, the Magpies won the Ranfurly Shield (taking it off {{rut|Otago}}),{{cite web | url=https://www.provincial.rugby/news/ranfurly-shield-roundabout-continues/ | title=Ranfurly Shield roundabout continues | publisher=New Zealand Rugby | date=4 October 2020 | access-date=17 January 2021 | archive-date=25 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025214256/https://www.provincial.rugby/news/ranfurly-shield-roundabout-continues/ | url-status=dead }} were successful in three more Ranfurly Shield defences (against {{rut|Northland}}, {{rut|Manawatu}} and {{rut|Wellington}}), and won the Mitre 10 Cup Championship. Lowe scored two tries in the Championship Final against Northland, helping his team secure a well-deserved promotion to the Premiership division.{{ cite web | url=https://www.provincial.rugby/news/magpies-kings-of-the-championship/ | title=Magpies crowned kings of the Championship | publisher=New Zealand Rugby | date=27 November 2020 | access-date=17 January 2021}}
Following the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup season, at the end of which Lowe was named 'Magpies Back of the Year', he was called up by the {{rut|Hurricanes}} as cover for injured Hawke's Bay team mate Geoff Cridge. He trained with the Hurricanes during preseason and played for the franchise at the 2017 Brisbane Global Rugby Tens.{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/rugby-lowe-cracks-canes-tens-squad/JT7D7XOKQDZZOZI2CQ7C7SGYHA/ | title=Lowe cracks Canes Tens squad | publisher=Hawke's Bay Today | date=1 February 2017 | access-date=17 January 2021}}{{cite press release | url=http://nz.rugby/news/hurricanes-squad-named-for-global-tens/ | title=Hurricanes Squad Named For Global Tens | website=allblacks.com | language=en | publication-date=31 January 2017 | access-date=17 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113115323/http://nz.rugby/news/hurricanes-squad-named-for-global-tens/ | archive-date=13 January 2021 | df=dmy-all}} Following that tournament, he was offered a full Hurricanes contract.{{ cite press release | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/napier-match-set-to-add-to-hawkes-bays-hurricanes-legacy/ | title=Napier match set to add to Hawke's Bay's Hurricanes legacy | publisher=Hurricanes | date=20 April 2017 | access-date=17 January 2021}}
Lowe was - for the first time - named in the Hurricanes squad for the 2018 Super Rugby season.{{ cite press release | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-2018-squad-announced/ | title=Hurricanes 2018 squad announced | publisher=Hurricanes | date=1 November 2017 | access-date=17 January 2021}} On 26 May 2018, he made his Super Rugby and Hurricanes debut against the {{rut|Crusaders}}.{{ cite press release | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/new-midfield-combination-to-face-the-crusaders/ | title=New midfield combination to face the Crusaders | publisher=Hurricanes | date=23 May 2018 | access-date=17 January 2021}} Due to an unfortunate string of injuries,{{ cite press release | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-confirm-another-four-players-for-2020-roster/ | title=Hurricanes confirm another four players for 2020 roster | publisher=Hurricanes | date=16 May 2019 | access-date=17 January 2021}}{{ cite web | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/118834989/super-rugby-crusaders-beat-hurricanes-in-opening-trial-game | title=Super Rugby: Crusaders beat Hurricanes in opening trial game | publisher=Stuff New Zealand | date=18 January 2020 | access-date=17 January 2021}} as well as otherwise being given limited playing opportunities, Lowe only played four games for the Hurricanes during his years at the franchise.
At the end of 2020, Lowe moved franchises and was named in the {{rut|Chiefs}} squad for the 2021 Super Rugby season.{{ cite press release | url=https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/2021-gallagher-chiefs-squad-announced | title=2021 Gallagher Chiefs squad announced | publisher=Chiefs | date=3 December 2020 | access-date=17 January 2021}} He made his debut for the franchise on 5 March 2021 against the {{rut|Highlanders}}{{ cite press release | url=https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-named-for-their-2021-season-opener-against-the-highlanders | title=Gallagher Chiefs named for their 2021 season opener against the Highlanders | publisher=Chiefs | date=3 March 2021 | access-date=17 April 2021}} and scored his first Super Rugby try on 17 April 2021 against the {{rut|Crusaders}}.{{ cite web | url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/?competition=355&season=2021&match=355182 | title=Match centre: Chiefs v Crusaders | publisher=SANZAAR | date=17 April 2021 | access-date=17 April 2021}} He played two seasons for the Chiefs in which he played 18 games and scored 7 tries. His most memorable game during this time was the Chiefs' 51–27 win over the {{rut|Waratahs}} on 22 April 2022, in which he scored 4 tries.{{ cite web | url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/?competition=205&season=2022&match=523101 | title=Match centre: Chiefs v NSW Waratahs | publisher=SANZAAR | date=22 April 2022 | access-date=17 April 2021}}
On 23 June 2022, the {{rut|Highlanders}} announced that Lowe had signed a three-year contract with the Dunedin-based franchise. Highlanders Head Coach Clarke Dermody mentioned: "What I like most about Jonah is the combination of pace and power that he possesses, and they are two great assets for any winger. He will strengthen our outsides and in combination with our other Jona (Nareki) will give us some more strike force out wide. I also like his work ethic, he’s a busy player that works hard with and without the ball." Lowe made his Highlanders debut on 25 February 2023 against the {{Rut|Blues}}.{{cite press release | url=https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/highlanders-named-to-face-blues-in-season-opener/ | title=Highlanders named to face Blues in season opener | publisher=Highlanders | date=23 February 2023 | accessdate=26 February 2023}}
International career
In 2014, Lowe was named in the New Zealand Secondary Schools team that played matches against Australian Schools and Fiji Schools.{{cite press release | url=http://www.allblacks.com/News/26011/new-zealand-schools-and-barbarian-schools-teams-named | title=New Zealand Schools and Barbarian Schools teams named | website=allblacks.com | language=en | publication-date=24 September 2014 | access-date=17 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007232304/http://www.allblacks.com/News/26011/new-zealand-schools-and-barbarian-schools-teams-named | archive-date=7 October 2014| df=dmy-all }}
Two years later, he was selected for the New Zealand Under-20 side that competed at the 2016 Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship{{cite press release | url=http://www.allblacks.com/News/28986/new-zealand-under-20-side-named-for-oceania-tournament | title=New Zealand Under 20 side named for Oceania tournament | website=allblacks.com | language=en | publication-date=5 April 2016 | access-date=17 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408015236/http://www.allblacks.com/News/28986/new-zealand-under-20-side-named-for-oceania-tournament| archive-date=8 April 2016| df=dmy-all }} and 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.{{cite press release | url=http://www.allblacks.com/News/29146/nz-squad-named-for-world-rugby-under-20-championship | title=NZ squad named for World Rugby Under 20 Championship | website=allblacks.com | language=en | publication-date=10 May 2016 | access-date=17 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706054317/http://www.allblacks.com/News/29146/nz-squad-named-for-world-rugby-under-20-championship | archive-date=6 July 2016| df=dmy-all }}
In 2017, Lowe was part of the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians team that played the opening game of the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.{{cite press release | url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/provincial-barbarians-squad-for-opening-match-of-dhl-nz-lions-series-named | title=Provincial Barbarians squad for opening match of DHL NZ Lions Series named | website=allblacks.com | language=en | publication-date=11 April 2017| access-date=17 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112035611/https://www.allblacks.com/news/provincial-barbarians-squad-for-opening-match-of-dhl-nz-lions-series-named | archive-date=12 November 2020 | df=dmy-all}}{{cite press release | url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/provincial-barbarians-team-named-for-lions-encounter | title=Provincial Barbarians team named for Lions encounter | website=allblacks.com | language=en | publication-date=1 June 2017| access-date=17 January 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111184607/https://www.allblacks.com/news/provincial-barbarians-team-named-for-lions-encounter | archive-date=11 November 2020 | df=dmy-all}}
A year later, Lowe - who is of Ngāti Pikiao descent - was a member of the Māori All Blacks squad that toured the United States, Brazil and Chile.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/maori-all-blacks-squad-named-for-historic-tour | title=Maori All Blacks squad named for historic tour | website=allblacks.com | language=en | publication-date=15 October 2018 | access-date=27 November 2018 | archive-date=17 September 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917014722/https://www.allblacks.com/news/maori-all-blacks-squad-named-for-historic-tour/ | url-status=dead }} He made his Māori All Blacks debut on 3 November 2018 against the USA{{Cite press release | url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/maori-all-blacks-team-named-to-face-usa-eagles-chicago | title=Maori All Blacks team named to face USA Eagles, Chicago | website=allblacks.com | language=en | publication-date=2 November 2018 | access-date=17 January 2021 | archive-date=17 September 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917014648/https://www.allblacks.com/news/maori-all-blacks-team-named-to-face-usa-eagles-chicago/ | url-status=dead }} and scored a try in each of the three matches of the tour.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/jonah-h-lowe NZ Rugby History profile]
- [https://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-teams/highlanders-super-rugby/jonah-lowe/ Highlanders profile]
{{Highlanders squad}}
{{Hawke's Bay NPC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lowe, Jonah}}
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:People educated at King's College, Auckland
Category:People educated at St John's College, Hastings
Category:New Zealand rugby union players
Category:Rugby union players from Hastings, New Zealand
Category:Hawke's Bay rugby union players
Category:Hurricanes (rugby union) players
Category:Chiefs (Super Rugby) players
Category:Māori All Blacks players