It couldn't have been better timed as the second-placed riversiders host fellow top four contenders Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports at Farndon Park today in the feature sixth round clash which will see Lowe tussle with incumbent Magpies loosie Ben Hamelink.
"I just have to make the most of my minutes and it will be the same on Wednesday night," Lowe said referring to the Hawke's Bay Saracens match against the Manawatu Evergreens in Waipukurau which is part of the trial process for the Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad.
"It's refreshing to be back and there's a real fizz there. I'm enjoying the challenge and I'm looking forward to pulling on the Clive jersey again ... it's always a pleasure."
The Hastings Boys' High School product who played 41 games for the Hurricanes between 2009 and 2013 was thrilled to see Clive in second place on the points table this week.
"The boys have done well to put themselves in that position. But there are four games remaining, four big mountains to climb, and it's important we take them one week at a time."
So how does Lowe rate his chances of adding to the century?
"There are some good quality players around putting their hands up. I just have to focus on my performance and help the teams I play for win."
Lowe agreed the opportunity to play alongside his younger brother and Hurricanes wider training group member Jonah Lowe in the Magpies team is a big incentive. Jonah hasn't been released to play for Clive today but there is a chance they may turn out together for Clive against Havelock North next week.
A father of three boys who play for the Tamatea club, Lowe said he enjoyed the France stint which followed a two-year contract with the Canon Eagles in Japan. The Provence team dropped from division two to the third tier of the French leagues.
"Provence looked after their foreign boys. They made sure we were fresh and ready for the big games with home games the No 1 priority. Because I was one of the older guys the coach looked after me a bit more. There were top facilities and resources there and everything was fully professional," Lowe said.
The former Junior All Black is working part-time with the Hastings Boys' High School Rugby Academy.
"It's great to see the academy available to a lot of boys. The set-up and resources they have there are amazing and it makes me very proud to see the First XV dominating the country," Lowe said.
Along with former Samoan international and Hastings Rugby and Sports assistant coach Tivaini Fomai, retired international referee Chris Pollock and MAC stalwart Vili Malaitai, Lowe is coaching the school's under-15 side and he said the quartet has the squad on track to improve their ranking at their national tournament in September.
It's obvious HBHS don't want their First XV's No 1 national ranking to end during the next four years at least.
Lowe's return, combined with the home ground advantage and the hosts' desire to give Japanese import Yuki Nakamura a winning farewell, should see Clive win by seven points.
Another close encounter is expected when Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports host Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical at Tamatea Park, the hosts by three in this one.
Defending champions Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist should beat Tamatea by 29 at Park Island, Carters Frame and Truss Taradale have the potential to beat MAC by 11 at Flaxmere Park and Progressive Meats Havelock North should beat Northfuels Central by nine in Waipukurau.
