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Jimmy Cowan - Source: Photosport -
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Super 14 Profile: Jimmy Cowan
DOB: March 6 1982
Physcial: 1.82 m and 92 kg
Team: Highlanders
Province: Southland
Super 14 Matches: 47
Super 14 Tries: 3
Jimmy Cowan's story is one of redemption, a loveable rogue that fought back from public condemnation to star in an all conquering 2008 All Blacks team.
The blond haired boy from Invercargill was always destined for higher-honours; he was a New Zealand under-19 representative in 2001 and was selected in the New Zealand Colts in 2002 and 2003.
He made his Super 14 debut for the Highlanders in 2003 and a year later was awarded his first Test cap against Italy, as a replacement on the All Blacks end of year tour.
Cowan is a confrontational, robust sort of halfback, much in the mould of New Zealand's most capped number nine, Justin Marshall. Like Marshall, Cowan is always in the game; his cover defence is a tyranny to opposition, so much so that you could easily mistake him for a loose forward.
But after missing selection for the All Blacks 2007 World Cup campaign, Cowan hit the headlines last year for a number of alcohol induced incidents which all cumulated in an ultimatum from the NZRU: to ditch the booze or risk us ripping up your contract.
He seemingly took the former, wiser option and when the All Blacks faced lose three consecutive Tests heading into a crunch Tri Nations match against the Wallabies at Eden Park, it was the recalled Cowan that starred in New Zealand's most complete performance of the season.
By the end of the Spring Grand Slam tour Cowan had established himself as the All Blacks first choice halfback and to cap off a remarkable turnaround, he was recently handed the captaincy of the fledging Highlanders.
It's too soon to know whether the Highlanders have made the right decision, but Cowan is a natural leader on the field, a player that leads by example and that others want to follow.
To call him a role-model may be premature but the 26-year-old has fought back from the Invercargill gutter with brutal honesty and for that he deserves credit.
14 Quick Questions with Jimmy Cowan
1. Who was your favourite rugby player when you were growing
up?
Olo Brown
2. What is the best thing about being a Highlanders
player?
It beats working
3. What will it take to win the 2009 Super 14
Championship?
Sacrifices
4. Who is your favourite Highlanders team mate?
Fetu'u Vainikolo
5. If I wasn't a rugby player I would be....?
A chef
6. What is the most important part of your 'pre-game'
routine?
Music
7. Name your favourite non-rugby sports team.
Warriors
8. If you could have any three bands/artists for your own
private concert, who would they be?
Kings of Leon, Three houses down, Ministry of Sound, U2
9. Out of any player in any Super 14 team, who would you least
like to step into a boxing ring with?
Dan Bowden
10. What is your favourite rugby memory?
Named in the All Blacks
11. What is your favourite meal?
Japanese
12. Who is the hardest player to tackle?
David Hall (grumpy)
13. Who has the biggest hit (tackle) in the Super 14?
Chris King - at trainings
14. What team in the Super 14 do you get the most pleasure out
of beating and why?
All, enjoy winning
