Rugby: Former Magpie returns

Karl, Jacob and Jonah Lowe will play together for Clive for the first time next week. Photo / Warren Buckland

Forget the "Karl Lowe is back and available for the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team" rumours.

Yes the Magpies centurion and former Maori All Black and Hurricane is back in the Bay and will play alongside brothers Jonah and Jacob for Clive next week. But he won't be playing for the Magpies this year.

"I've got a one plus one contract with a French club which I will start on July 1," Lowe said before training with the K9 Petfoods Clive team last night.

"I can't release the name of the club yet but basically that means I play for one season and if me and the family are happy I could do another season. There was interest from Hawke's Bay but I have to do what's best for me and the family ... there is a chance I could play for the Magpies again because it would be neat to play alongside Jonah but it won't be this year," Lowe explained.

Lowe, 31, who made 100 first class appearances for the Magpies from 2004-2013, can't play for Clive in tomorrow's Tui Nash Cup round two fixture against Tamatea at Bill Mathewson Park because the necessary paper work won't be completed in time. He last played for Clive in 2012 and while he played with Jacob in 2008 he has yet to play with New Zealand under-20 centre Jonah.

A father of three, Lowe, enjoyed his two-year stint with the Canon Eagles in Japan. A Top League team, the Eagles finished seventh during the first year and sixth the second year.

"It was an awesome experience over there. Japan rugby is on a high after last year's World Cup and it's exciting times in Japan as they gear up to host the next World Cup," Lowe said.

He described the Eagles training facilities as the best in the world.

"A combination of those facilities and Japan's foreign player-rule means I am in the best shape I've been in since my early 20s. That rule allows two foreign players on the field for one team at once ... the Eagles started with former All Black Adam Thomson and South African Willie le Roux ... I came on for the last 15-20 minutes," Lowe recalled.

"I've always wanted to play in Europe ... every rep player does. Once I've had a few club games with Clive it will be good to get over to France."

Lowe is impressed with how Jonah has developed in his absence.

"I don't have to give him much advice. He is surrounded by the right people," Lowe added.

"I've grown up watching my brothers play my whole life. It's going to be a pretty special occasion when we play Taradale out there," Jonah said.

"I'm one from one with Jacob after last weekend's win. Karl will definitely bring a bit of fire to the Taradale game and obviously we have to get past Tamatea this weekend ... it's a pretty even comp this year," Jonah added.

Other Nash Cup fixtures tomorrow will see Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports host Carters Frame and Truss Taradale at Elwood Park, Progressive Meats Havelock North host MAC at Anderson Park, Hawke's Bay Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist host Northfuels Central at Park Island and Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical take on Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Whitmore Park.