James Lowe has enjoyed quite a week after playing a key part in Ireland’s stunning win over New Zealand and he has now been picked by the fans as the winner of both the Player of the Week and Try of the Week in the Autumn Nations Series Week Three.
The Ireland winger scored the first try of the game in Dublin, while his tackle on Rieko Ioane might have been the clinching moment in the 29-20 success, stopping a New Zealand attack dead and allowing Joey Carbery to stretch the lead to six points.
And Lowe has seen off the opposition in both the Player of the Week and Try of the Week competitions, voted on by the fans.
In the four-strong shortlist for Try of the Week, Lowe’s effort in the first half in Dublin got the nod, with the winger finishing impressively in the corner after Ireland had turned down a shot at goal to kick for touch.
After the forwards had hammered away and worked up to the All Black line, the ball was spread wide, with Bundee Aki’s long pass putting Hugo Keenan into space. The full-back hit the ball at pace before releasing Lowe to cross in the corner.
That score earned 36 percent of the vote, edging out Waisea Nayacalevu’s second try for Fiji against Wales and Freddie Steward’s try for England against Australia, with Makazole Mapimpi’s second try for the Springboks against Scotland in fourth.
And in an even closer battle, Lowe was also chosen as the Player of the Week, beating teammate Caelan Doris by just seven votes.
The pair were both influential as Ireland earned their third win in five years over the All Blacks, each ending with 34 percent of the vote.
Steward again came in third for his performance against Australia, while Eben Etzebeth rounded out the nominees.
Try of the Week results
James Lowe – IRELAND v New Zealand – 36% Waisea Nayacalevu – Wales v FIJI – 28% Freddie Steward – ENGLAND v Australia – 28% Makazole Mapimpi – Scotland v SOUTH AFRICA – 8%
Player of the Week results
James Lowe – IRELAND v New Zealand – 34% Caelan Doris – IRELAND v New Zealand – 34% Freddie Steward – ENGLAND v Australia – 22% Eben Etzebeth – Scotland v SOUTH AFRICA – 10%
