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Top Coach Backs American League
World famous Rugby League Football coach and administrator Graham Lowe is the latest high profile rugby league identity to throw his support behind the American National Rugby League and the USA Tomahawks in their quest to secure a berth in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
"To Niuy and all the boys - it is great to see you guys are going strong over there in the States. All the best in October. A win for the USA Tomahawks = A win for Rugby League. Cheers, Lowie.”
After coaching in the New Zealand competition, he moved to Britain where he coached Wigan. Under Lowe's coaching, Wigan re-emerged as a power in the British game as he led Wigan to their first RFL Championship in 27 years and went on to guide the Warriors to their first ever World Club Challenge win when they defeated Manly-Warringah 8-2 in front of 36,895 fans at Central Park.
He also led Wigan to success in both the 1988 and 1989 Challenge Cup finals.
He then moved back to Australia to coach the team he had beaten in the 1987 WCC, Manly-Warringah, coaching them between 1990 and 1992 and bringing the Sea Eagles back to the finals in 1990 and 1991.
In 1983, Lowe was appointed coach of New Zealand. He relinquished the role in 1985, but returned to coach the Kiwis in 1985 and 1986. During 1991 Lowe was appointed coach of the Queensland Maroons State of Origin team, becoming the first and so far only non-Australian to coach in the rugby league showpiece.
After being appointed Maroons coach, Lowe suffered from health problems when a blood clot in his leg threatened to end not only his coaching career, but his life. He recovered in time to lead Queensland to a 2-1 victory over NSW in the 1991 State of Origin series. He was re-appointed for the 1992 series but Qld went down to the Phil Gould coached Blues two games to one.
Graham Lowe also coached the Western Samoan side for the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. In the late 1990s he was a part owner of the Auckland Warriors. In 2008 he coached the Bay of Plenty Stags in the National Provincial Competition.
On 25 November 2009, Lowe was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Manly Sea Eagles. He stood down from this position in April 2011 due to health issues.
We appreciate Graham's support and know his words of encouragement will impact our efforts locally. His passion for rugby league can be best illustrated in the following quote:
"I'm 49, I've had a brain hemorrhage and a triple bypass and I could still go out and play a reasonable game of rugby union. But I wouldn't last 30 seconds in rugby league." - Graham Lowe (1995)
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