Rugby: Lowrey faces the master

Chris Lowrey has come back from meningitis. Photo / Getty Images

Every professional rugby player wants to measure himself against the best.

There won't be any delay for Blues No 8 Chris Lowrey this season when he marks up on Saturday against Kieran Read, voted New Zealand's player of the year. Like some of his international colleagues, Read may be a shade shy of match practice but he will bring his experience and involvement when he travels to Eden Park with the Crusaders for the derby duel.

While Read was surging up the rankings last year, Lowrey was heading in the other direction. After a most promising 2009 debut season with the Blues, Lowrey slipped out of the limelight as a clutch of factors conspired against him.

"Probably the one word that sums it up was that I was frustrated," he said. "Obviously things off the field did not help. I got sick - meningitis - and that was right after I had done all the hard work in the pre-season and then I became ill. While everyone was getting fitter and stronger I was going the other way."

As Lowrey lost condition he also relinquished his grip on the No 8 duties for the Blues. Viliami Ma'afu grabbed the job and proved to be one of the Blues' more consistent contributors as Lowrey's season spluttered.

That pattern continued in the ITM Cup as Lowrey picked up a few persistent injuries. It got to the stage where he wondered if Blues coach Pat Lam would reselect him this season. He need not have worried. Lam knew his man, recalled that 2009 form and was heartened by all the medical reports on Lowrey.

"That 2009 season was a long time ago and it wasn't much," Lowrey said. "But Pat has shown faith in me and I would like to repay him for that. It's going well so far. I'm on my way but we've only just got through the pre-season and I hope to get picked this weekend."

The Blues will announce their side tomorrow with Lowrey likely to be chosen to wear the No 8 jersey. He got some help with former All Black Brad Mika still on the recovery route after knee surgery while Mat Luamanu is new to this level of rugby and Peter Saili offers utility loose-forward cover.

"I've had goals I wanted to achieve with both my fitness and mental preparation and that has helped me get a little bit ahead at this stage of the season," Lowrey said. "I may have a little break on the others but I have to play well because there is a lot of competition in the squad."

Lowrey likes the feel in the Blues this year with many familiar faces in the squad who add to the experience needed to weather an extended tournament. The Blues want a strong start before they head away to South Africa in the second round.

Getting a result against the Crusaders and battling Read will be a serious opening exam. "I have never played against him though I did see him at the national under-19 trials. Kieran is slightly older but it will be exciting to go up against one of the best going round, it will be a very good measuring stick."

What skills would Lowrey like to reproduce from the All Black's portfolio, what strikes him most about Read's calibre?

"I think it is is his work rate and his physicality round the park," Lowrey said. "He is very involved with the ball or making a tackle. He is a big man with a big engine. It is a hard thing to duplicate but you try to practise that way, training not to give up, not taking any rests and that is what you want to do as an athlete and player."