ROSS SHIELD RUGBY: No pressure, we will win it: Jonah

SHANE HURNDELL
With his first name Hastings East winger Jonah Lowe can expect to be well marked at next week's Ross Shield rugby tournament in Waipukurau.
Yes the 12-year-old Hastings Christian School year eight student is named after All Black legend Jonah Lomu. But it will be his surname which will have more significance when the 106th Hawke's Bay Primary Schools premier rugby tournament kicks off at Central Park.
Lowe will become the youngest of five brothers to have played for the East side when he takes the field. His older brothers who have pulled on the yellow and black jersey in the Heinz Wattie's-sponsored event are Kelt Capital Magpies flanker Karl (in 1997 in Napier), Jamie in 1994 at Wairoa, Layton in 1991 at Dannevirke and Jacob in 2000 at Hastings.
The other Lowe brother in the family of six boys and one girl, Stephen, didn't take rugby as seriously as his siblings but has produced two sons, Kaiser and Mustaine, who are seventh graders at the Clive club where Jonah played 11th grade this season.
While the Lowes hold the record for the most members of one family selected in the Hastings East side it isn't a Ross Shield record. Seven brothers from Wairoa's Blake family of 10 boys and four girls played for Wairoa.
Ironically the most famous of the Blake brothers, former New Zealand Maori and Magpies halfback Paul Blake, missed selection. With two of the Blakes, Solomon and Ray, gaining two caps and father Bill having played in one tournament the family boasts 10 caps.
Young Lowe said he doesn't feel any extra pressure because of his famous first name. Nor was he fazed when his Magpie brother reminded him that his older brothers had all played in winning Ross Shield teams.
``We'll win it,' said Lowe who has played for the Napier D grade reps and Hastings East C grade reps.
Clive supporters told SportToday Lowe has matured much faster than his brothers.
``I've been inspired by my older brothers,' said Lowe, who has his brothers' caps and medals in a huge frame on his bedroom wall.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, Magpies captain Danny Lee and fellow Magpies Michael Johnson, Zac Guildford and Israel Dagg were among the guests at the Hastings East side's capping ceremony on Monday night.
Lee advised the East players to listen to their coaches, try and do what the coaching staff expect of them and to play as a team. He reminded them to wear their caps with pride.
``The only caps I know of which are close to these ones are the All Black ones,' added Lee.
Yule reminded the East players he will shout the team out for a meal at McDonald's or another fast food outlet should they beat Napier. He has offered the same incentive to Hastings West as Napier are aiming for five consecutive wins of the shield.
Imagine the elation in the Lowe household if East can not only beat Napier but also win the tournament. All will be revealed in nine days' time.