Former Mako Lowe laments rugby rule

Kiwi wing James Lowe says it ‘‘sucks’’ that red tape could limit his appearances for Leinster due to a rule restricting Pro 14 clubs to two New Zealand and Australian players in their match day squads.

The Irish Times reported that an injury to Leinster’s Irish halfback Luke McGrath could be bad news for Lowe, who has scored five tries in six matches since arriving in Dublin from the Chiefs.

Leinster have three Anzac players – Lowe, former Taranaki halfback Jamison Gibson-Park and former Wallabies forward Scott Fardy.

Asked about the rule restriction by the Irish Times, Lowe said: ‘‘Sucks eh? They need to change the rule. Can we do it here? Put your hand up if you want three foreigners playing.’’

Lowe questioned why ‘‘only New Zealanders and Aussies’’ were affected.

Other nationalities, including South Africans and Pacific Island players are not governed by the same rule.

The Irish Times speculated that Leinster coach Leo Cullen is unlikely to drop Fardy, who has been the cornerstone of the pack at lock.

Gibson-Park is the obvious choice to replace McGrath at halfback, leaving Lowe on the outer.

Lowe said it would be a shame if he could not play alongside Gibson-Park.

‘‘I’ve played with Jamo back home, we’re the same age and played New Zealand under-20s and we both didn’t make it.’’

Gibson-Park, 25, played Super Rugby for the Blues and the Hurricanes, and was a New Zealand Maori representative. He joined Leinster in 2016. Lowe, also 25, was a star with the Tasman Mako and the Chiefs. He moved to Dublin after helping Tasman make the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup grand final.