JAMES LOWE spoke out after the stadium announcer referred to him as “the Kiwi, now Irishman” before the Lions’ win over Western Force.
Andy Farrell‘s men kicked off their tour of Australia with a 54-7 rout in Perth on Saturday.
The New Zealand-born winger was one of eight Ireland internationals that started on the day.
He was one of a number of players who were singled out by the cheeky stadium announcer during the game.
Reading out the teams, the PA said: “The Western Force announcer here, going through the Lions 23.
“Our former Aussie, Mack Hansen! Another former Aussie, Sione Tuipulotu! It’s the Kiwi, now Irishman, James Lowe! The former SA schoolboy, now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman!’”
The 32-year-old was asked about the description during a post-match interview with the BBC.
Taking it in his stride, Lowe said: “I get used to it, man. I’ve been getting slagged my whole life, my whole career.
“It doesn’t matter where I go, I seem to get slagged.
“They can say what they want. We are here now, feet in the ground in Australia.
“We have put in a performance that we want and are happy with and will hopefully carry it on.
“Hopefully a few more Kiwis or Saffas [New Zealanders and South Africans] play next week and we can keep the same gag going if we keep on getting the same result.”
Lowe and his Ireland compatriots acquainted themselves well in Perth, with Joe McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, and Garry Ringrose all getting tries.
It was a landmark day for Sheehan, in particular, with the Leinster hooker captaining the Lions just four months after skippering the national team in the Six Nations.
Meanwhile, Mack Hansen was singled out by Andy Farrell for contributing the “play of the day” in the second-half.
Thirteen Ireland players are in the squad overall, all of whom will be pushing for a spot when they face the Wallabies on July 19.
And Lowe was proud to be able to get the chance to put himself into Farrell’s thoughts against the Force.
He added: “I knew I’d get a chance to put in a performance and personally I was very happy with how I went.
“I still remember sitting at home with my wife when your name comes up on the TV.
“To actually be here, feet on the ground in Australia and given the opportunity is a massive privilege.
“The amazing thing about this tour is these games make you hungrier for a Test spot.
“I’m competing with some world-class wingers in their own right so you’ve got to put your best forward.
“Obviously we can get better and we will get better over time but it’s already something I’ll be very proud of for the rest of my days.”
